Elementary students trade classroom for game day on annual ‘Field Trip Match’

BY KEELI CHRESTMAN 

Multimedia Journalist

On Thursday, Sept. 10, Stephenville ISD students from Hook and Chamberlain Elementary filled Wisdom Gym for Tarleton State Volleyball’s annual “Field Trip Match,” where the Texans played Sam Houston University.

The trip gave the students a chance to experience what a college game day is like, and for some, the opportunity to see Tarleton State for the first time.

The Texans put on a show for the children, sweeping the Bearcats in three straight sets. Coach Jazmyne Johnson called it a great win and praised her players’ teamwork.

“We really started to play together and come together,” Johnson said.

LeNeah Lara, a fifth-year outside hitter, also mentioned how the team came together.

“We executed sisterhood. I feel like we really lost that the last few games and today everyone did their job and did it well, and that was big,” Lara said.

But the stars of the match may come from the stands. Every time the announcer said “point Texans,” the elementary school students practically lost their heads. They brought an uncommon energy to the game, cheering, dancing and laughing every time something exciting happened.

“Hopefully this is the start of a winning streak,” Johnson said.

A big win like this was just what the Texans needed. And not only did the students get to see the Texans play as a team, they got to see them having fun on the court. The children shared in that fun, and took it to another level.

For the Texans, the game ended with a sweep over Sam Houston. For the local elementary kids, they reveled in a special opportunity to watch some of Tarleton State’s best athletes compete on their home floor.