By Kevin Lonnquist
NTX Varsity Sports Columnist
Cat Foerster had no reason to leave the juggernaut volleyball program she created at Decatur.
She enjoyed the comfort. Her Lady Eagles volleyball program captured consecutive Class 4A state titles in 2020 and 2021. Couple that with a 2024 roster capable of winning another state title – it did by the way – and the infrastructure set up Decatur to be arguably the most dominant program in that classification for an extended period.
That’s why Foerster left. She took over a new varsity program at Eagle Mountain in early 2024. The new Eagle Mountain ISD high school opened this past August.
Sometimes, coaches want to know their why. They want to challenge themselves. They want to learn if their philosophy, approach and culture translate elsewhere.
Not only is Foerster’s professional gamble paying off through the first two seasons, but Eagle Mountain (26-11, 9-0 in District 7-4A) is also in position to make a run toward winning the 2025 4A Division II state title.
Going into Friday’s home match, the Lady Knights, ranked No. 5 in the state 4A poll, can clinch a playoff berth for the second time in as many years as this program has existed with a win over No. 10 Springtown. Should that happen, then the path clears toward winning the 7-4A title. That would follow a 29-win season and trip to regional semifinals in 2024.
“It was truly a unique opportunity,’’ Foerster said. “Just seeing that capability. Get into a groove. Building something from the ground up. Can I do this? Am I able to go somewhere where there is no standard or history? I wanted to implement something that would have some longevity.”
You couldn’t blame Foerster. She’s been around winning all her life. She played in three state finals at Hereford in the early 2000s, then returned to Hereford and coached that program to the 2019 4A state finals. That was followed by the run at Decatur.
“You take winning for granted,’’ she said. “You take all the wins as a big success. But then you come here, and it opens your eyes to the grind.’’
When new high schools open, most of the athletic facilities are ready for use. Eagle Mountain’s gyms weren’t quite there in the spring and summer of 2024. Foerster’s first team had to settle practicing in middle school gyms.
That usually isn’t well received from a group of athletes who just left that part of their lives behind them and don’t wish to relive it. Plus, Foerster had to build chemistry. While her players came from Saginaw and Saginaw Boswell, they didn’t know each other. Ultimately, they were going to have to form a bond.
While Eagle Mountain opened and intended to play a varsity schedule at the outset in 2024, the missing link the program did not have is what most other teams have: seniors. The school opened without any. Without that kind of experience and leadership, it makes the difference in tight matches.
“It’s a lot about mental growth,’’ Foerster said. “Without seniors, the leadership piece was the one thing kids had to work on. I will say coming here and taking over, I didn’t think it would be a big deal. But during the season, I realized that, yeah, maybe we did it need it more.’’
Indeed, the second meeting with Decatur at home still burns. The Lady Knights won two of the first three games but couldn’t close. Decatur rallied to win the last two and the match.
However, the validation of this program was when it won its bi-district playoff match, a sweep of Dunbar out of Fort Worth. The season concluded 29-19.
“Winning that first gold ball [playoff trophy] was a special moment,’’ she said.
While the playoff run ended two rounds later, nothing changed Foerster’s drive toward fast tracking this program to her way of doing things: accountability, be fierce defenders on the court and create a first ball effort that’s going to make it hard on opponents.
This team is good but it’s also talented. Senior 6-4 middle blocker Keoni Williams is committed to national power Nebraska. Williams is also a member of the Team USA U21 team that played overseas during the summer. Senior outside hitter Brooke Lacewill is committed to Texas A&M. Both are expected to sign their national letters of intent in November.
The cast isn’t limited to those two. There are some solid players between junior setter Molly Aubert, sophomore defensive specialist Madie Haney and sophomore middle blocker Izzy Little.
This team embraced a demanding non-district season. Without Williams, who was playing overseas, Eagle Mountain finished second in the Pearland tournament in August. The Lady Knights then collected wins over Class 5A and 6A programs in Granbury, Dripping Springs, Prosper, Amarillo, San Antonio Clark and Flower Mound Marcus.
Oh, and they redeemed themselves in their first district meeting with Decatur on Sept. 30. Eagle Mountain won in a sweep. The second meeting is the regular season finale Oct. 24 in Decatur.
However this season concludes, perhaps Foerster can take a few moments to appreciate what has been accomplished. The first two seasons of Eagle Mountain volleyball are proof her style can succeed anywhere.
Maybe 2025 concludes with a state championship. Maybe it doesn’t. The work on the court, what has been established and how this group of players execute will determine that.
“We’re solid everywhere,’’ Foerster said. “The challenge is to always play better the next time you’re out there.’’
