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Lady Dragons in the News Lady Dragons Rock "Friday Night Lights!"
Lady Dragons make guest appearance on NBC's "Friday Night Lights"! The Lady Dragons traded in their uniforms for a night in show business last week. The ladies from Round Rock donned some new uniforms as the "Royal Rock Dragons" and took on the "Dillon Panthers" for an upcoming episode of the popular NBC television show. The show was filmed in downtown Austin and the girls were given the "star" treatment. Catered meals, game rooms and nice comfy couches awaited them until they were needed for the action. Head Coach Diane Watson was happy to watch all the action from the stands, although she was seen giving her stand in coach some pointers. Without disclosing the ending of the fabulous performance, we will say that is was a "close game", watch for the ladies sometime in January in episode #14. Thank you to NBC for donating to the Rock Volleyball booster club and showing all the girls a great time. Check out the pictures below and make sure catch the show.
your Round Rock....err.. Royal Rock Dragons...
Okay guys......don't hurt them....
everyone pretending not to be excited....
applying fake sweat...
the Royal Rock stars...
Hit the ball......well....about here.....
Diamonds are for her brothers, but Danks also a gem Baseball players' younger sister sets the pace for Dragons' volleyball team
ROUND ROCK — For the third time this decade, a member of the Danks family is starring at Round Rock High School. Only — unlike her baseball-playing brothers — this one wears her hair in a ponytail and plays volleyball.
Junior Emily Danks has accumulated 42 blocks and averaged 2.8 kills a game as a middle blocker for the Lady Dragons.
Making a name for themselves:
Jordan Danks
John Danks Round Rock junior Emily Danks, a 6-foot-1 middle blocker, is in her third year of starting for the Lady Dragons. She's the younger sister of John and Jordan Danks, both accomplished baseball players. John Danks, who graduated in 2003, just finished his first complete season as a starting pitcher for the Chicago White Sox. Jordan Danks, a 2005 graduate, hit .332 in 63 games last season as an outfielder for the University of Texas. Sixteen-year-old Emily Danks is separated by only six years from her oldest brother, John. Over the years, all three Danks siblings have developed a special bond. Last week, both brothers were in attendance at McNeil High School to watch Round Rock's regular-season finale, a four-game loss to McNeil. "We're really close, and I can learn so much from them on the court and off the court," Emily Danks said. Danks grew up playing piano and participating in dance, and Jordan Danks admits the brothers may have been a little reluctant to attend her performances. But now that the siblings are all older, they understand the importance of rooting each other on. "We had to go to a lot of those recitals, and we really didn't want to," Jordan Danks said. "Now I realize how important it is, and I think she plays better when we're there. I think it's important that she sees us up in the crowd." While Danks hasn't made her niche on the diamond, her presence on the volleyball court can partially be attributed to one of her brothers. She became interested in volleyball because it was the sport played by Chari Hicks, John's high school girlfriend whom Emily described as being like an older sister to her. Although her brother and Hicks are no longer together, Emily Danks said she remain in contact with her. Danks, who started playing volleyball in the seventh grade, has evolved into a three-year starter for Round Rock. This season, she has 42 blocks while averaging 2.8 kills a game. Colleges have taken notice of her, and she has already had contact with Texas and Texas A&M and will visit the University of Florida next month. But perhaps more important than Danks' stat lines or her potential to play at the next level was her willingness to buy into the Round Rock system and establish herself as a team player, her coach said. "She's not just a fantastic player, she's a fantastic team player," said Lady Dragons coach Diane Watson. "She plays hard and she is extremely supportive of her teammates, and it shows on the floor." Round Rock (23-6), which won a second straight District 14-5A title, will open up the state playoffs tonight with a bi-district match against Temple at Burnet High School. The Lady Dragons are ranked No. 11 in Class 5A. Despite what Round Rock has already accomplished, the team isn't about to become complacent. "As long as we're here, we know we want to go as far as we can and we don't want to settle," Danks said. Outside of school and volleyball, Danks appears to be a typical teenage girl who enjoys hanging out with friends and family while also harboring a love of shopping. She also likes to let loose vocally while in her car and boasts about her cooking skills. "If you ever catch me in the car alone, I will be singing — and I make a mean quesadilla," she said. While John may have indirectly influenced her athletic career, Jordan claims credit for her success making fine Mexican cuisine. "I don't think that I've ever had one of her quesadillas, but if she does know how to make a good one, it's probably because I taught her," he said with a laugh. danieldavis@statesman.com; 445-3952
Link to article on Shelbi Chipman and Kelsey Lawrence
Link to Article on Sarah Doss and Hope Runde in Austin American Statesman
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