As her last name would suggest, Jade Workman stays busy on the volleyball court.
During games, she doesn’t come out because she is a six spot player, meaning she’s either setting or hitting the ball.
The senior Lady Panther standout, who’s been a four-year letterman for Permian, returns for what she hopes will be a big season.
“I’m really excited,” Workman said. “We have a young team and a bunch of returning players so I think we’re going to have a really good and exciting season. I’m really excited to see what’s in store for us.”
Workman is coming off a stellar junior season in which she was named the District 2-6A Outstanding Hitter.
She helped the Lady Panthers to a 27-10 overall record that included a spot in the area round of the playoffs.
She and her teammates are hoping to do better this season after finishing second in the district standings last year.
“I think our goal is to get first in district this year because we were second last year and I feel like we can get first this year and get further into the playoffs this year,” Workman said.
As for Workman, it’s been a busy summer as she’s been involved with club volleyball and also participated in the Texas Girls Coaches Association volleyball All-Star Game.
The All-Star Game took place on July 12 at Arlington Martin High School as Workman got to play alongside some of the best players in the state.
“It was amazing,” Workman said. “It was a great experience. I got to play at a higher level and see what the college level is going to be like because all the players were D-I commits. It was a great experience.”
Speaking of college, she plans on playing at the collegiate level but hasn’t decided on a school just yet.
“I want to explore my options and see what I can do,” Workman said.
For now, she’s focused on this upcoming season at Permian.
Workman has earned plenty of praise from her head coach Gillian Herrera.
“She just brings a great work ethic,” Herrera said. “She comes into the gym and she just works. You won’t see her being loud or boisterous. She’s very coachable. She’s always willing to learn. She puts in the work outside of her.”
Because she’s on the court constantly and because she’s been playing varsity since her freshman year, it comes as no surprise that she hit the thousand kills mark just last season at Permian.
“It’s a crazy statistic,” Herrera said. She hit the thousand kills as a junior and we only played 17 games her freshman year because of COVID. I can’t imagine where she’d be statistically if she hadn’t played her freshman year. She’s a sixth spot player. She doesn’t come off the floor, ever. Every play, she’s either setting the ball or hitting the ball.”
Workman’s earned plenty of awards during her time at Permian.
After her freshman season in 2020, she was named the District 2-6A Newcomer of the Year.
Then, her sophomore season, she was named to Second Team All-District.
Last season, in addition to her district awards, she earned All-State honors.
Not only that, she helped her club volleyball team, Texas 432, to an 18th place finish in the USAV Girls Junior National Championships this year.
Workman hasn’t forgotten to take a few breaks as she knows she doesn’t want to peak too soon before the season starts.
“I’ve taken a couple of breaks here and there,” Workman said. “My parents have been asking me to take a break so I can keep my body nice and rested for volleyball season. I think that I’ll be fine.”
Some of the biggest things Workman said she’s improved on is her communication skills with her teammates.
“I feel like I’m a more social teammate and a more exciting teammate,” Workman said. “Skills-wise, I’ve improved on hitting and passing and serving and everything like that.”
The Lady Panthers are eager to begin the 2023 season.
“We’re very excited,” Herrera said. “We won bi-district last year. Having Workman back to lead the team is exciting. I know she’s ready to go and get us going.”
