White Oak Coach Carolee Musick Reaches 600 Career Wins in Sweep of Waskom

WHITE OAK -- Carolee Musick has won a lot of volleyball matches during her coaching career, and Tuesday's home sweep of Waskom turned into a celebration of that.

Musick recorded her 600th career victory in a 25-4, 25-5, 25-11 win behind Dorothy Swanson's 10 kills and one block that pushed the No. 8 Ladynecks to 33-4 overall and 12-0 in District 17-2A.

The Mena, Ark., native was honored by her team and the home crowd after the match and received a life-size cutout of herself from her high school playing days to match the cutouts of White Oak's current varsity roster adorning the wall inside the White Oak Middle School Gymnasium.

Musick, who is 600-123 in her career, said her perspective on milestone wins has shifted with age.

"You probably appreciate them a little more as you get older, so I would think that I probably think of them differently in more of a mature way than what I did when I was younger," Musick said. "Anything my girls can accomplish and feel good about, it means more to me than probably it did when I was younger."

An emotional Musick got the opportunity to speak with her mother, sister, and nephew in Mena via Skype during the post-game celebration.

"That was so sweet and so kind and so touching," Musick said of fans' support during the celebration.

Musick said milestone wins were not something she devoted any time to pondering when she started coaching.

"I really don't know that I ever thought of it, to tell you the truth," Musick said. "You get older and they add up, so then you think of them occasionally, but when I first started I don't think I even thought of such a thing."

Swanson, who recently committed to Abilene Christian, has played four years on varsity for Musick. She was a part of Musick's 500th win during her sophomore season and has helped the Ladynecks to three consecutive state tournament appearances, including a state championship in 2010.

Swanson was happy for the coach with whom she's cultivated a strong relationship during the past four seasons.

"My freshman year was a little scary, but over the years I've gotten used to her. She's really a big softy. She looks mean but she's really soft," Swanson said laughing. "As a freshman, she doesn't really let that show, but as the years go on it's more like a friendship."

White Oak dominated the 600th victory from start to finish. Morgan Baldwin had two kills, 20 assists, and one blocks, while Taylor Tramel added four kills and two blocks. Madison Pecot and Audrey Lunstedt had three kills apiece. Rebecca Green had two blocks.

Courtney Pickens and Courtney Taylor each had two kills for Waskom, which got four assists from Mallory Alexander.

With two previously injured players back, Swanson believes White Oak is hitting its stride at the right time. The Ladynecks have two regular-season contests remaining before defending their Region III championship for the third consecutive season.

"I think having the whole team back and not pulling girls up and down (to JV), and finally being whole has helped everybody kind of get into a groove," Swanson said. "I'm excited for the playoffs."

White Oak visits Ore City on Friday before concluding the regular-season schedule at home against Union Grove next Tuesday.