Providence girls volleyball coach Laura Newton is a big fan of junior Ozie LeSage.
“Ozie’s love for life is contagious,” said Newton at Monday’s Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon, where LeSage was honored as the Phil Womble Ethics in Sports Award winner.
The Womble Award is presented to a junior student-athlete who demonstrates the highest standards of ethics and sportsmanship.
“She’s always looking for ways to improve, which is a coach’s dream. And, she always shows up ready to work hard,” added Newton about LeSage, whose actual first name is Olivia but goes by Ozie.
LeSage is a standout player for the volleyball team. She leads the team in kills (113) and blocks (24) and is second in service aces and digs (108).
“She loves to play volleyball. She loves playing in the gym, she loves playing on the beach. She’s often down at the beach with her parents, playing,” said Newton.
Ozie is the daughter of Kathy and Don LeSage.
Ozie thanked her parents “for always supporting me 100 percent and teaching me integrity in sports,” she said.
She also expressed her appreciation for Womble.
“I’m thankful there are people in this world like Phil Womble, who inspires us all so much to be better people.”
Newton noted LeSage’s diligence in the classroom.
“She challenges herself by taking honors class and AP classes. She had a 4.1 GPA last year,” said Newton, who is also her math teacher.
Newton said LeSage is also a great teammate and expressed her appreciation for the student-athlete’s contributions to the program.
“She celebrates her teammates’ accomplishments more than her own,” she said. “Thanks for bringing out the best in myself and in your teammates.”
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