Okeechobee freshman Azariah Washington is this week’s Big Lake Athlete of the Week for her performance with the Lady Brahman varsity volleyball team.

Washington is part of a new wave of talent coming into the Lady Brahman volleyball program, which is crucial as the team is losing a key group of seniors after this season. Seniors on the team include previous Big Lake Athlete of the Week Adleigh Schwier, Yani Smith, Alyssa Madrigal, Lindy Harwas, Daniela Sanchez, and Savannah McCoy.

In her first season with the Lady Brahmans Washington led the team in scoring in multiple games. She has also led the team overall in scoring with 255 kills. Sophomore Olivia Bartels is also a part of that new batch of talent for Okeechobee. She was right behind Washington with 208 kills this year.

Okeechobee defeated the St. Edwards Lady Pirates 3-1 back on Sept. 8. Washington led Okeechobee in kills in the win, with 17 while Bartels had 16 kills and four aces. Before that game the Lady Brahmans beat the Somerset Academy Lady Spartans 3-1 on Sept. 7. Washington and Bartels led the team in scoring once again, with 17 and 12 respectively.  

The Lady Brahmans handed powerhouse Sebring their first loss of the season this year. After falling to Sebring 3-1 back on Sept. 9, Okeechobee defeated them 3-2 at OHS on Sept. 16. Washington scored a team high 17 kills in the win.

Headed into next year, Washington and Bartels as well players like junior Tehya Nunez and sophomore Dahlia Grzech will be the next core group of players to led the Lady Brahmans in the hunt for a district championship.

If you have someone you’d like to nominate for Big Lake Athlete of the Week, email Lake Okeechobee News sports reporter Richard Marion at rmarion@iniusa.org or visit our Athlete of the Week nomination page at southce