Dillard University head volleyball coach, Yolanda Brown, recently signed two members of Houston’s South Side Storm volleyball club to athletic scholarships. Shelby Stewart of Westside High, and Maelega Lealaimatafuo of Fort Bend Marshall, will head down I10 to join five other Houston area players who are already on the Dillard Bleu Devil squad.

Maya is a 5’9” middle blocker extraordinaire. According to the Marshall coach, Toni Smith, “Maya arrived on the Marshall campus as a great athlete who could jump out of the gym, but with very little volleyball experience. She is leaving as a two year captain, a skilled player, and still, a great athlete.” Maya played most of her club volleyball with the Pandemonium volleyball club before competing with the South Side Storm her senior year. Maya has expressed an interest in going to medical school.

Shelby Stewart is an intimidating figure at the net. Standing 6’0” tall, she often frustrates opposing players with her superb blocking ability. Shelby is coached at Westside High by Coach Andre King. She worked diligently to improve her offense and helped to lead her team to a district championship over rival, Bellaire, this year. Stewart has also been a key member of the South Side Storm club for the past four years. Shelby plans to use her Dillard scholarship to acquire a degree in journalism.

Everyone knows that Houston is hotbed of talent in all sports, and volleyball is no exception. These young ladies are just two examples of what can be accomplished with hard work, support, and training. Congratulations to Shelby and Maya!

Dillard University, South Side Storm, volleyball