The volleyball team made the playoffs this year after going 9-1 in district and being the district champions for District 17-5A. After beating Temple three sets to one in the bi-district round of the playoffs, they lost to Willis High School in straight sets in the area round of the playoffs.
“This year has been a different season from previous years at Lindale because we [are] very young,” head coach Jessica Camp said. “We played two freshmen and a lot of sophomores. They did a great job and rose to the challenge. The few seniors we [have] led well and demonstrated great work ethic. The girls [are] always positive and work very hard.”
The volleyball team has made the playoffs each of the last three years, and they reach the playoffs most years. Coming into the season, the team had a low chance of making the playoffs because of how young the team was and the overall lack of experience on the team.
“This season was different from the last in an underdog way,” senior Alisha Kiser said. “We came into the season having been predicted to perform at a lower level than we did. We overcame many bumps in the road.”
Each year, the volleyball team begins practicing in the summer. They participate in various tournaments, as well as non-district games before having the district games that determine which schools make the playoffs.
“Making playoffs felt like we were going somewhere,” freshman Shelbi Steen said. “I [am] proud of all of us- to push past the diversity we came across and to dream of something big.”
After winning their last district game against Whitehouse, they clinched a playoff berth. Though they lost in the second round versus Willis, every player put in hard work throughout the season.
“This year was a great experience,” Camp said. “The girls had some high and low times. During the low times they rallied together to fight even harder. Each member stepped up and encouraged each other to really become a family. These girls are so special to me. We had a lot of laughs during the season, and I’m already looking forward to next season.”
