VYPE
Williams was a part of the historic Kingwood Park volleyball team in 2018
Originally Appeared on VYPE
Alia Williams is heading to Baton Rouge.
The Kingwood Park senior announced her commitment to LSU via her Twitter account on Thursday.
"I believe the environment and coaching staff at LSU is the best place for me to reach my potential as a well rounded volleyball player," Williams told VYPE. "I look forward to developing my volleyball skills and knowledge with the coaching staff and my teammates in Baton Rouge.
"This is a great opportunity for me. Playing at the next level, especially in the SEC, is a dream that doesn't come true for everyone. I am grateful to be given this opportunity and will continue to work very hard in order to live up to the expectations of my coaches and teammates."
Williams was a part of the historic Kingwood Park volleyball team in 2018 that claimed the Class 5A State Championship, becoming the first-ever Humble ISD volleyball program to win a state title.
This season, Williams has helped guide Kingwood Park to a 19-19 overall record and 9-1 mark in District 20-5A play. Williams has recorded 213 assists, 123 kills, 110 digs, 36 aces and 31 blocks so far.
On making the decision to head to LSU, Williams said it came down to relationships.
"Many factors went into this decision," she said. "However it really boiled down to one main point. Coach Fran has seen me develop from my 15's year up until today. She knows the player I was at age 15 and how hard I've worked to become the player that I am today. I wanted to play for a coach who knew the kind of work ethic I have."
The story continues here
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The Houston Astros didn’t just sweep the defending champs this weekend, they changed the tone of their season.
Dominant pitching. Star power. Road swagger. The three-game dismantling of the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chavez Ravine wasn’t about revenge or validation. It was about showing, once and for all, that this version of the Astros, short-handed and all, belongs squarely in the conversation with baseball’s elite.
A statement series
The Astros pitching staff was lights out against one of the most dangerous lineups in baseball, holding the Dodgers to just six runs across three games, including two contests where LA managed just a single run. Lance McCullers Jr., much-maligned after getting shelled by the Cubs last week, bounced back in a big way. He worked around four walks, giving up just one run on a solo homer, a much-needed course correction as the Astros evaluate their playoff rotation options.
On the offensive side, the stars delivered in a big way. Jose Altuve torched Dodgers pitching with three home runs, seven RBIs, two walks, and just one strikeout. Christian Walker matched him with six hits of his own, including a pair of long balls and six RBIs.
A shift in expectations?
This wasn’t just a series win. This was a proof of concept.
Houston came into the series already heating up, now they’re officially on fire. Over the last 30 days, the Astros rank third in runs and fifth in RBIs. For the season, they’re top 10 in nearly every key offensive category: eighth in OPS, first in batting average, ninth in slugging. Defensively, the numbers are just as strong. They lead MLB in strikeouts and opponents’ batting average, and rank second in WHIP.
Put it all together, and you’ve got a team with top-five upside in both pitching and offense. The pieces are clicking. The vibes are real. And the Astros suddenly look like a legitimate World Series contender again.
Is help on the way?
Reliever Hector Neris rejoined the team this week, offering a veteran boost to a bullpen that’s been leaned on heavily. Neris brings postseason pedigree and a reputation as a clubhouse leader. The Astros hope a return to familiar surroundings, and the guidance of one of the best pitching development staffs in the league, can get him back on track.
Tayler Scott returns on a minor league deal, and while the move may not turn heads, it adds another layer of depth to a bullpen that’s already one of the league’s best.
Background noise in LA
No Astros-Dodgers series goes by without a little extra noise and this one was no different. During the broadcast, former Cy Young winner and Dodgers analyst Orel Hershiser raised eyebrows by implying that Houston’s offensive surge might not have been entirely on the level.
Predictable? Absolutely. Meaningful? Not even close.
If anything, it’s a weird kind of compliment. No one questions legitimacy when you’re losing. But after a lopsided 18-1 beat down people start reaching for answers, or excuses.
Inside the Astros clubhouse, though, that chatter doesn’t register.
They know exactly what this sweep meant. And so does the rest of the league.
There's so much more to get to! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
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