The High Island High School volleyball team is heading to San Antonio this Thursday for the TCAL Division 2A State Tournament, entering the competition with high expectations as the division’s top-seeded team.
Before last Wednesday’s practice, the team received a special visit from Katie (Osten) Wiseman—a High Island graduate, retired educator, former coach, and motivational speaker. Wiseman, who was a member of High Island’s 1976 regional champion girls’ basketball team, began the session by asking each player to introduce themselves, share their grade and position, and offer a meaningful reflection to their teammates.
During her address, Wiseman shared a State Literacy framework focused on how the mind and body handle pressure, emphasizing the importance of safety, belonging, and emotional recovery after mistakes. To help the athletes perform under stress, she introduced a four-step physical reset sequence: “feet, find, face, play.” The routine teaches players to ground themselves, regain a sense of belonging, face the game, and immediately return to action.
Head Coach Rikki Endsley reminded the team of the unique bond they share, recalling a piece of advice from her own college coach about recognizing how special their experience is. She urged the players to cherish every moment of the season, noting that this exact group and experience will shape the rest of their lives and can never be recreated. Expressing immense pride and excitement for the team, Endsley continually reinforced her confidence in their ability to compete at the highest level, encouraging them to stay connected, give maximum effort, and bring their energy to the state tournament.
Congratulations to the High Island High School volleyball team on an extraordinary season! The entire community is standing behind you, cheering you on every step of the way, and eagerly looking forward to bringing home the state title. Best of luck in San Antonio!
