As the sun begins to rise on a typical summer morning, the courts buzz with the sound of the Texas High volleyball team preparing to endure another long but rewarding practice. Instead of enjoying a calming break from the stress of the school year, these athletes remain prepared to put in the effort needed to succeed and to uphold the tiger spirit.
As this year’s volleyball season kicks into gear, the countless hours of practice and preparation will finally come to fruition as they compete against the district’s top teams with aspirations to make it farther than last year.
”I’m very proud of my girls because they show up over the summer,” Head Coach Melissa Hardy said. “It’s not fun, but they show up, and it’s like team bonding. It’s a family affair.”
With a big gap to fill after losing many valuable players, this year’s seniors are motivated to step into leadership positions and push themselves and their teammates to a successful season on and off of the court.
“My role this year requires a lot more leadership attributes to grow on and learn. It requires me to be louder and much more positive towards my teammates,” said senior Sydney Woods. “I feel like [the] district has changed a lot since last year. [Other schools have] lost a lot of seniors so all the teams are really young. I think if we just stay disciplined and stay focused, we can win a lot of games this year.”
These girls strive to work harder and aim higher every year, not just for themselves but also for their teammates, coaches and family. The Texas High volleyball team is determined to reach new heights and prove no one else does it like T-High.
“[At the Tyler Tournament] we learned that all of the teams are really fast and we had to adjust to that and learn how to communicate, but if they step up and play like we did against North Lamar, I think we’ll do well. They’re determined, and they showed up this summer, so hopes are high,” Hardy said. “The girls are growing every game, every tournament. Hopefully, that will prepare them for a better outcome this year.”
