Lady Lions begin early volleyball season with energy, team unity

The Albany Lady Lions officially opened the 2025 volleyball season Friday, August 1, with a full weekend of workouts, community service, and team-building activities aimed at setting the tone for a strong year.

Head Coach MJ Reneau said 20 players are out for the team this season, ensuring full JV and varsity rosters with depth. While the program has had a third team in past years, Reneau said she hopes to see continued growth to bring that back in the future.

The team started with a three-hour workout on Friday, followed by volunteer work at Closet Angels, a local nonprofit. Saturday was spent on team bonding, including paperwork, jersey distribution, and a group movie.

“The girls really looked forward to volunteering this year,” Reneau said. “It’s good not only for team bonding but also for teaching them to serve others and give back to the community that pours into us.”

Practice continued into the week with two-a-day sessions. Reneau said the players have shown strong attitudes and eagerness, with many arriving to practice 30 minutes early.

“I’ve been very excited about their attitudes and their skills,” she said.

The team benefited from offseason preparation, including summer workouts, a team camp led by Coach Reed from Wylie, and participation in the John Smith tournament.

“Anytime you can get the girls on the court together, especially in competition against other schools, it gives us a head start,” Reneau said. “It builds chemistry and helps knock off the rust from the summer.”