Lewisville volleyball ready for another postseason challenge
The Lewisville Lions experienced a trip to the 1A Upper State finals in volleyball a year ago, and head coach Josh Renaud is looking for an even better season in 2017.
The Lions lost five seniors to graduation, but they have a quality group of returning players with plenty of experience winning in the postseason. Lewisville has 11 players on the roster and Renaud is counting on all of them to play a role this fall.
“Every girl on our team is important,” said Renaud, who is in his fourth year as head coach at the school. “Some will get more playing time than others, but everyone has a role on this team.”
Renaud has watched the group grow since coming to Lewisville. During his first year the Lions only won two games; the second season they won just four times.
Last year was a breakout year. The Lions dropped just two games in the regular season and finished second in the region. They worked their way through the playoffs, and lost to Governor’s School in the Upper State Championship. It was the third loss of the season to Governor’s School.
“Every year I have been here we get better,” said Renaud. “We set team and individual goals every year, and the girls have worked hard to make those goals happen.”
They know each other, they trust each other, and they know where they are suppose to be on the court. This team has grown up together, they are more vocal that last year’s team, and they believe in hard work.
Lewisville volleyball coach Josh Renaud
The Lions began the current campaign with a 3-1 win over 4A Lancaster. That win will go a long way during the current season.
“Beating Lancaster was great,” said Renaud. “You could see the excitement in the players faces. They had worked so hard, and to win that game was huge for us.”
Renaud’s players were instrumental in getting him to schedule that game in the first place.
“They came to me and said they wanted to play tougher competition out of the region,” said Renaud. “We played them earlier and beat them in a scrimmage, but that was not like playing a regular game. The win was a great start to the season and a tremendous confidence builder.”
Renaud is counting on three three seniors this fall. Aly Butler, an outside hitter, Kamryn Martin, a back line player, and Shatorria Robinson, an outside hitter, are the leading Lions. A pair of juniors are also back for another season; Amber Bass, a middle hitter, and Lauren Crocker, an outside hitter, both had impressive stats a year ago.
Two sophomores, Abby Dixon, who plays middle hitter, and Allie Keels, the setter and team quarterback, turned in outstanding stats a year ago.
“All seven of these players saw lots of action last year, and their experience and knowledge will be invaluable as we move through this season,” said Renaud. “Our entire team is showing the type of progress that I want.”
Lewisville plays in a region that has only four volleyball teams, so they have to play more non-region games than most programs. Outside of the region, every team the Lions play this fall is in a higher classification. They’ll also compete in three weekend tournaments.
“It is exciting to watch of these girls practice and play,” said Renaud. “Winning that first game just made them hungrier to excel. They have not reached their potential individually or as a team, and they are all excited about the season.”
This story was originally published September 1, 2017 at 12:40 PM with the headline "Lewisville volleyball ready for another postseason challenge."