Jeff Moeller, sports correspondent
Heading into her junior season, Brielle Allred knew it was time to take her game to another level.
“This summer I put extra effort into developing my skills on the right side, getting extra reps in whenever I could,” said Allred. “For me, transitioning out from my comfort zone in the middle to also develop my skills on the right side would make me a better rounded player who would be more comfortable on the court.
“To be honest though I don’t think I will ever be fully comfortable playing volleyball because that would be playing it safe.”
Allred is part of a returning group of volleyball players that seek to capture its fifth consecutive regional title when the Wildcats begin play Tuesday against Savannah Country Day.
Head coach Danielle Ennis is confident her players will continue the path.
“We lost a tremendous senior class, but they’ve passed the torch to a group that’s eager to prove itself,” said Ennis. “If this team continues to buy into our culture, embraces the daily work, and improves week by week, I like our chances of being in the conversation when it’s time to compete for championships.
“Our players have to embrace their roles, trust one another, and compete with confidence. We want to be a team that’s disciplined, resilient, and able to respond when things don’t go our way. Those are the qualities that carry you through a long season and into championship matches.”
Ennis believes Allred can be a consistent contributor. She began playing in the middle, and she currently plays in the middle and on the right side.
“We have a young team, but one standout is junior Brielle Allred,” said Ennis. “She is so versatile and determined to constantly improve! She is a strong hitter and blocker which will wreak havoc on the opposing team. She works so hard both on the court and off. She is a great student and teammate. She has the respect of her coaches and teammates.”
Allred, who only began playing competitively last season, quickly discovered it was her sport.
“I came to really love the sport as it tested not only my physical abilities but also my mental and gave me something to work on,” reflected Allred. “ Going deeper into volleyball meant stepping out of my comfort zone and at first it was hard especially because I started later than most players.”
Despite being new to the sport, Allred always kept a positive outlook..
“I often felt uncomfortable being behind but it’s what pushed me to be the strong and growing player I am today,” she said. “To me, choosing the uncomfortable option and pushing my limits is what has made me stronger overall.”
With Allred and the remaining returnees, Ennis likes her team’s chances throughout the season.
“If we continue to improve, stay healthy, and keep putting the team first, I believe we’ll put ourselves in a position to compete for another region title,” said Ennis. “ That’s all you can ask for at the beginning of the season.”
