The varsity volleyball team has gone undefeated thus far in their season, bringing them to first place in the district through six games. Last season, the team made it through all district games without losing.

“It’s been great [starting off the season strong],” head coach Lori McLaughlin said. “These girls are really locked in, and they are always trying to better themselves. I’m excited to see what’s in store.” 

The upcoming game is against Rouse, a major rival. The theme is camo night, and it is a home game at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 30. 

“I’m excited to go against Rouse,” senior outside hitter Mya Cheatum said. “We all know what we have to do, and we have our strategy already planned out. I think it’s going to be really good. We’re both competitive programs, so there’s definitely pressure.”

Last year, varsity made it to the state championships but were swept by Frisco Wakeland in the title game with a score 0-3. In the final set, the score was 23-25.

“I think that’s definitely an edge that we have just because we weren’t happy with that result,” McLaughlin said. “Obviously, it’s a great accomplishment to be able to get qualified for the state championship, but we just know that we wanted a different result. I feel like that is helping our fuel and our ‘why’ going into this year.”

This year, the team has four players committing to Division I schools for volleyball. Cheatum committed in April of her junior year to the University of Incarnate World in San Antonio.

“Going to a Division One school is so exciting,” Cheatum said. “That’s been a dream of mine since I was little. It’s crazy that now I’m living it everyday. It’s crazy to see how much all my hard work has paid off too. Everything that I’ve done led up to that one big moment.”

The team has grown to 14 players, two more than last year’s roster. Freshman middle blocker Riis Britt said she has had to adjust to being on varsity as a freshman.

“I was really happy to have the opportunity to start with varsity,” Britt said. “I think it will help me grow, and I really hope I can be a use to the team as much as I can. In the beginning, I realized how fast everything was, and I’ve learned how to adapt to it. I think that I have done pretty good so far.”

Many of the upperclassmen have been playing on the same team since freshman year. For some teammates, they’ve been playing together since elementary school, including Cheatum, senior middle blocker Sienna Benavides and senior setter Katelyn Hughes.

“I love my team,” Cheatum said. “We always have fun together. There is never a day in practice where I’m not smiling. It’s bittersweet for sure, to think that I started the game with them and now I’m finishing it with them. They’re all my best friends.” 

According to McLaughlin, the team will continue practicing and challenging themselves. They hope to make it to state championships this year as well.

“I’m seeing a lot of flashes of great things,” McLaughlin said. “We’re really just trying to continue to better our weaknesses and grow our craft. Hopefully, that will translate to a long postseason.”