Lady Lions, Lady Cougars facing different scenarios

One team has all its starters back from a successful run last season. The other is under a new coach and hoping to improve on a losing record.

The Grapevine Faith volleyball team broke an eight-year playoff drought last season, and coach Ed Chen said this season could be even better.

The Lady Lions finished 21-13 in 2015 and went two rounds into the playoffs, and at least from the standpoint of personnel, it does not appear that much has changed.

“The season is looking good,” Chen said. “All starters are returning from last year, with a couple of new additions that have the potential to make significant contributions.”

Faith returns first-team all-district outside hitter Kylie Lacik and first-team middle blocker Abby Leonhard from last year’s team to lead the way.

“The strength of our team is that we are very balanced,” Chen said. “We don’t really have any superstars, but we have a team full of solid players. If I had to pick, Abby Leonhard and Grace Turnham have the potential to break out.”

In order to repeat upon the kind of success the team enjoyed in 2015, Chen said the most important thing is that his players believe in themselves.

“Confidence is key,” Chen said. “Before my first season last year, Faith had not made the playoffs in eight years. Making the playoffs last year hopefully gave the girls the confidence they need to go even further this year.

Faith defeated Dallas Christian in the opening round of the playoffs before losing to Austin St. Michael at area.

For the Lady Cougars, 2015 certainly presented its challenges as Covenent finished up the season with just three victories, but this is a new season and a new head coach is at the helm.

Taylor Jones is in her first season at Covenant Christian Academy and she said she is excited about the 2016 season.

“Things are shaping up nicely for the season,” Jones said. “Having only a week of practice before our first match, the girls have worked very hard and are so eager to get better.”

Jones said she has a couple of players she expects to lead the way for the Lady Cougars this season.

“Our captains this year are Rebecca Moore and Ashley Jenkins. Rebecca is a senior and a strong spiritual leader for our team. She is a multi-sport athlete and knows how to compete. Ashley is a junior and our setter. She is a very hard worker and a vocal leader for this group.”

Jones said that she expects her team to be competitive this season said she and the coaching staff definitely plan to mix things up a bit.

“This being (mine and assistant coach Ashley Kay’s) first year here at CCA, our expectations were for the girls to be ‘all in’ and to be eager to learn and try new things,” Jones said. “We have been nothing but proud of our girls so far. Being in a new district alignment, we are more focused on our side of the net and perfecting our chemistry and effort.

“In order for us to have a strong season and to make the playoffs, we expect our team to be consistent and to always thrive in every situation.”

This story was originally published August 16, 2016 at 3:40 PM with the headline "Lady Lions, Lady Cougars facing different scenarios."