Update: The 5-10 senior outside hitter has helped lead Lake Highlands (43-4) to the Class 5A Region II semifinals. In Lake Highlands' most recent playoff victory, over Sachse, Mellinger contributed 19 kills. Lake Highlands has not lost a game in any of its three playoff matches.

Notable: Mellinger, who committed to Texas A&M in the summer, is a four-year member of the varsity. As a junior, Mellinger was named to the Texas High School Girls Coaches Association all-state team. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the student council. She plays club volleyball for the Skyline Juniors.

Memorable moment: Junior Olympics championship match last July in Dallas. "It was so much fun to play in the championship game in front of a lot of friends."

Favorite place visited: Virgin Islands on a family vacation.

Role models: Her sister Erin, 19. "I really look up to her. She is the one that brought me into volleyball. My parents are role models, too, because of their support. I think they love volleyball more than me."

Music, TV or movies?: "I love music a lot. I'm always rocking out in my car. I listen to everything but country."

Career: Mellinger plans to study nutrition and would one day like to coach volleyball at the college or high school level.

Thing people don't know about me: "For being an athlete, off the court I'm clumsy and trip all over myself."

Randy Jennings