VYPE Athlete of the Month -- Klein's Lindsey Cassel

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Gullo Athlete of the Month

LINDSEY CASSEL, Klein Softball

By Austin Staton

@astaton

Lindsey Cassel (on right) and Kelli Hanzel will make Klein a district fav in 2013.

During the 2012 softball season, Lindsey Cassel asserted herself as one of the premier backstops in the Houston area. Entering her junior season at Klein, the 5-foot-6 Ole Miss-commit is a critical component to the Bearkats' battery and is expecting big things for the 2013 season.

“My expectations for the team are to make second or higher in district, make it past the first round, and we’re honestly shooting for state this year,” says Cassel. “We’re girls that go out there and communicate with each other so that we can mesh well both on and off of the field.”

Following a first-round playoff exit in a 10-0 loss to The Woodlands last season, Cassel says that the team has made large strides under the direction of new head coach Candi Weige.

“We essentially have the same team returning this season, but with a new coach, it honestly feels like we’re just a lot stronger, faster and quicker,” she says. “We’re going to be a lot better this season.”

After finishing with a 9-9 mark in district play in 2012, Cassel maintains that the offseason was critical in developing her game, but she still has areas that she would like to improve upon.

“We worked on base running, which we’ve never done before, strengthening our swing and working on our core,” she says. “To improve my game I’ve worked on blocking. I’ve improved a lot behind the plate but blocking is always something that is on the back of my mind.”

Although she is an upperclassman, Cassel will have two more years against the elite softball competition in the Houston area prior to heading to Ole Miss to begin her collegiate career.

It was not only weight off of my shoulders to commit to Ole Miss, but it was the greatest feeling in the world,” she says. “My whole family went to school there so it wasn’t really that hard of a decision. When I actually took a visit and received an offer this summer over the phone, I couldn’t say no.”

For now, the SEC is on hold while Cassel and Klein are eager to meet their goals for the 2013 season.

“We have a new coach so I’m excited to see how that works out and how well the team meshes together.”