Alvin: Volleyball Preview

Story by Billy Loveless

Coach: Alison Kley (First year)

2006 record: 14-15; Fifth in District 24-5A

Graduated: 5

Returning lettermen: 8

Returning starters: 4; Amanda Underwood (OH, Sr.), Whitlie Bellmyer (OH/MB, Sr.), Kailey Killingsworth (setter, Jr.), Hannon Kelson (setter, soph.).

Strengths: A new era is dawning for Alvin’s volleyball with Karen Blanchette leaving after four years of coaching the Lady Jackets. Taking over for Blanchette will be Alison Kley, who was Blanchette’s assistant coach up until last year when she took over head coaching duties at the new Spring ISD school, Dekaney High School. 

Once the opportunity to return to Alvin came about, Kley jumped at the opportunity. And she’s optimistic on what Alvin’s volleyball program will put on the floor in 2008. With four quality returning letterwinners, which include three-year letterwinners Underwood and Bellmyer, Kley believes chemistry will be one of the squad’s strengths. With Underwood and Bellmyer playing at the net, Alvin is also expected to have a strong hitting presents at the net.

Since she was away from the Lady Jackets’ program for only a season, Kley also has the advantage of knowing the atheletes on her squad, which should reduce the all-important “getting-to-know-you” time most new coaches have to go through.

Possibly one of the biggest advantages for this year’s team, however, is the Lady Jackets’ softball squad winning a state title last spring. Oftentimes huge success can translate from sport to sport, partly because some players participate in both sports, but also because it can be viewed first hand exactly what it takes to get to that level.

Areas of improvement: Even though Kley knows most of the talent on her squad, she is still a new coach. And with every new coach comes a learning curve between the players and coach. The youngsters have to learn the new coach’s system and the coach has to figure out what combination of individual talents will form the best team.

“The girls are adjusting to a new coaching situation and they’re also seeing me in a different role,” Kley said. “We will have to bond together quickly.”

The Lady Jackets also have a few holes to fill from last season’s talented squad. Alvin graduated five seniors, including University of Texas-San Antonio-bound Amber Brooks, as well as Melissa Fortier, Sarah Mayfield, Michelle Hoover and Adriana Soliz. 

Brooks was a four-year starter at setter and earned a spot on the all-district team all four seasons. Fortier will play this year at Quincy University in Illinois, while Hoover will be at San Jacinto Junior College.

Season outlook: While Kley realizes her team will have to quickly adapt to her coaching style, she believes her squad has the talent to make some noise in the stacked District 24-5A. But putting up a winning record in 24-5A will be anything but easy. Powerhouse Clear Creek is expected to be as strong as ever, while Clear Lake and Clear Brook are both returning after strong playoff seasons. Dickinson – a Class 4A region quarterfinalist – has also been moved up to 5A and into this district. Rounding out 24-5A are Brazoswood, Galveston Ball, and Clear Springs.

Quotable: “This is a very tough district,” Kley said. “Anyone can win on any given day. I feel we have the potential and talent on this team. It’s just a matter of us getting over the hump of the coaching change, as well as getting back into the swing of things.”