Tomball senior Caitlin Diaz, along with many other seniors across the nation, had the feeling of relief after signing those dream-come-true, promising-future collegiate contracts. The 17-year-old senior signed to University of Louisiana at Lafayette for basketball on Nov. 9.

A great vibe of relaxation bounced off the shooting guard after her big day.

 “I’m just so glad to have finally signed. The wait and the recruiters were getting to be a little much,” Diaz said.

The anxiousness of waiting makes perfect sense, it’s the common thread between all future high school graduates who are inching their hands closer and closer every day to a diploma while dealing with sketchy, crazy recruiters.

“My goodness, the recruiters are seriously like cut-throat,” Diaz said. “One day after a tournament they’ll tell you their interested and you get your hopes up until they call you back and practically flat out tell you ‘We found another girl who we like more so we’re just gonna go with her.’ Glad that process is done with.”

University of Louisiana at Lafayette “was a perfect fit,” said the Lady Cougar, “it’s a family-oriented school and I just loved that about it, that and the coaches. Sometimes when you just meet a coach you get this ‘I want them to coach me’ feeling and that’s exactly what I felt.”

U.L.L may be a family-oriented school but the fact that Diaz’s kid sister, sophomore Carissa Diaz, is also committed to U.L.L. doesn’t hurt either. It’s a family affair.

The two sisters collaboration on the courts is going to be key for Tomball’s varsity girls basketball this season.

“I haven’t played much with my teammates on the courts,” said the co-captain (Diaz and her sister attended Westbury Christian last year). “But it’s good to have my sister there, you know for the instances where we can pick up each others slack.”

The goal of playing post-high school involves a rigorous work routine that serious athletes know all too well.

“I go from school practice and the then straight to the gym to work out with my other coach, it’s a lot of tiring work and time but I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t love the sport,” Diaz admitted.

When you’re such a passionate sports fan, it can be tough.

“I’m a huge NBA junkie so what’s going on at the moment is killing me.”

Diaz also was a part of the 2011 district 13-5A champs Lady Cougar volleyball team, who were knocked out by Atascocita the first round of playoffs.

“It was a tough loss cause the majority of the team are seniors and to think that it was our last game ever was hard. It made for a sad bus ride home,” Diaz said. “It was kinda bitter sweet for me cause volleyball was completely over but I still have this year’s basketball season.

“So excited for the rest of this [basketball] season. Dekaney and Klein Collins are going to be some tough competition but I expect us to do pretty well and decent in districts.”