The introduction of 6-A and the shifting of districts, along with the additions of new teams, it’s been a very confusing and hectic year for most athletic programs.

“District started really early” Volleyball coach Kelley Gregoriew said. “This season we came out really strong.” And that they did taking first in a tournament at the beginning of the year along with showcasing extremely well at the Pearland tournament.

The new district alignment has made this a hard year to adjust to.

Senior varsity player, Syndey Bauer said “there is a lot more competition.”

While they took off fast, the season has kind of balanced out, but the Lady Eagles, with an overall record of 25-11 and 6-5 in district play, remain in the hunt for the strongly fought over fourth spot in district.

“We’re trying to focus on maintaining consistency.” Gregoriew said. Allen’s new district in volleyball is one of the strongest in the state, and there is little to no margin of error for the teams. One small mistake can mean the end of the season.

“Strengths are definitely in our offense” Gregoriew said.

“We’re a pretty tall team.”

With eight players 5’11” or taller, tall is an understatement for this squad. Like all sports offense looks greats, but the defense is what sets teams apart, and wins championships.

Coach G said, “as long as we’re digging the ball it gives us opportunities to set up our offense.” “Defense in our sport wins games.”

Especially with team sports, attempts on every ball is something that Coach Gregoriew stress and drills into the ladies brains.

Even the most perfect teams have things that will always need fine-tuning and for this years team Gregoriew said, “defense and passing is what we continually need to work on”

The second year assistant coaches(Jennifer Hill and

Renna Bersosa) have come in and made an impact on all levels of Allen volleyball, as well as the middle school level too.

Gregoriew said “they’re helping out on JV and Varsity levels.”

Teams are built on leadership, and in high school that falls to the seniors of the program. No team can thrive without someone besides the coach supporting and leading.

Bauer, two-year varsity veteran, says the leadership role “is nice.”

“There is a lot more competition.” Bauer also says, regarding the new district.

For team sports it’s all about communication and Bauer said “we are learning to work together better.”

This year’s volleyball team has met struggles, and has suffered extremely close defeats where even Gregoriew admits “How can I get mad at that?”

In order to get ready for district the Lady Eagles are all about maintaining consistency, and playing solid volleyball.

Gregoriew said, “We need to make sure we’re playing clean.” In this new district she goes on to say that “it’s going to come down to the last match.”

Bauer said, “[Coach Gregoriew] is working us hard.” in response to how they are preparing for playoffs.

This year is different for these Lady Eagles, but Gregoriew knew that going into it.

“We knew a lot of these matches were going to be tight, and we knew we were going to need each other.”

A different district, but the expectations are still the same there; be a family, and fight for every point.