an inside track for getting the job. There was a series of “no
comments”: When a decision would be made regarding who will
get the job, whether it was a possibility that maybe someone
who manages or has managed the Juniors or even the Interme-diate
All-Stars — another program familiar with making annual
trips to the World Series since the WULL began play in that age
group six years ago — might be considered.
.
“Let’s just say that right now we have a strong list of candidates,
and we’ll leave it at that.”
The WULL president said they will look for the same traits in
their next manager that they found in Sauls -- someone with
experience and knowledge of the game, a strong leader with a
special way with guiding the league’s most experienced players
and developing their potential.
“Beyond the baseball, the thing that made Clint such a special
manager was his ability to get the kids to always perform at
their highest level,” Dellinger said. “Whether it was the final
game of the World Series for a world championship or it was
the first round of the playoffs here in Houston and they were
just trying to get to the Sectionals, Clint always got the best out
of the players.
“The Intermediates are doing well every year in the playoffs, go-ing
a long way and frequently getting to their World Series. The
Juniors are getting closer every year to making it to their World
Series, and a lot of the kids from those teams are the players
that are going on to play for the West U Seniors.”
So between now and next July, the burning question among the
older players in the league is who will be taking the seniors to
the next phase of greatness.
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Page 25 | THE ESSENTIALS
Bellaire’s volleyball success:
There’s an Ap for that
By Mike Tenney
The list of milestones continues to mount for long-time
BellaIre head volleyball coach Gloria “Ap” Clarke.
The gifted mentor, who has led the Cardinals to 19
district championships in the past 20 years, has likely collected
her 900th career victory by now.
With the season still roaring, she’s now surpassed her milestone
600-victory mark with Bellaire, earned fittingly when her team
knocked off archrival Lamar in a three-game sweep at Delmar
Fieldhouse last month.
“It really is an accomplishment I’m very proud of,” said Clarke
not long after collecting victory number 601 at Bellaire with a
win over Westside that kept her team in first place in district
18-6A. “But it’s not something I spend a lot of time thinking
about because my big concern is just our practice today and
Alex Nadler’s roots are finally
showing. No, not that kind. After
living in more than 20 cities, the
Conroe HS grad has called Studio 3
“home” for four years.
Alex was born in Colorado and found
her way to Alaska (where she was a
nanny to twins), Arizona, Wyoming,
Montana and Idaho. Daughter of
an amateur boxer, she competed in
mixed martial arts.
One constant was her passion for
hairstyling. She found her calling
when she was in fourth grade. Alex
has set down roots in her personal
life, too, getting married and giving
birth to a daughter, now four
months old.
the next game we play. There will be time to reflect back and
think about all those matches and all those games at some point
probably, but right now we’re in the middle of a season and
trying to finish strong and be playing our best when we get to
the playoffs.”
While the 900 wins distinguish her resume, she says the feat is
not something she could ever have done alone. “I’ve been very
fortunate to have players who were committed to the program,
and not just players who are committed to the program and
parents who have always been committed to taking that extra
step and making the sacrifices necessary so their daughters
could thrive.
“I’ve also been very fortunate to have outstanding coaches at
the sub-varsity levels who are able to work with our freshman
and JV players and really bring those young players along so
that when their time comes for a shot at playing on the varsity,
they’re ready. Those two factors have played a big role in
building our program to where it is now.”
She said high school volleyball in Houston, Harris County, and
Texas in general has grown by leaps and bounds in her nearly
40-year career.
“When I first got into coaching in Houston, there were maybe
one or two volleyball clubs in the area, and now there are over
100 clubs in Houston,” Clarke said. “There’s no question
that volleyball teams and players have gotten stronger and C