Fresh off a 17-win season that saw Byrnes volleyball exceed expectations, the Lady Rebels are hungry for more in 2025.
Byrnes finished 17-10 last season and 11-4 in 5-A Region 2 play, good enough for a third-place region finish. Despite graduating six seniors last year, head coach Lauren Blanton believes the Lady Rebels have the potential to surprise people again in 2025.
“We came up with a motto for our team this year,” said Blanton. “It’s ‘earn everything.’ Every point, every play, every day, our ceiling is whatever we want to make it. We have a willing and determined team.”
The Lady Rebels will be led this year by a pair of seniors, setter Emerie Burroughs and defensive specialist/libero Aubree James. Both Burroughs and James said the expectations within the locker room are high.
That stems from the team’s closeness, they say.
“We all believe that we can accomplish something great this year,” said Burroughs. “We’re all connected and close with each other, and I think that’s going to translate to the games.”
“Last year, we really bonded together well,” said James. “I think that was something that really helped us win. We trusted each other and knew everyone had to do their job. It’s the same way this year. We’ve built connections off the court, and it’s going to help us when it’s time to play.”
Another player to watch this year, according to Blanton, is sophomore right-side hitter Eliana Wade. Wade started as a freshman last year on varsity and is poised for a breakout second season.
“Eliana’s just naturally skilled everywhere on the court,” said Blanton. “She’s one to keep an eye on for sure.”
It’s not common to play so often so early as a freshman, but Wade credits her coachability for being turned loose quickly.
“I felt like I won the coaches over last year by being coachable,” said Wade. “If they told me to do something, I’d do it right away. My determination and ability to stay focused during practice helped, too. That helped my coaches trust me early on.”
Playing in one of the toughest regions in the state, the Lady Rebels will see quality competition almost every night — teams like Riverside, Eastside, and most notably, 15-time state champion Dorman.
“That helps the girls. It really does. We watch so much film and get to play some of the best teams in the state every night,” said Blanton. “It keeps us sharp and makes us better.”
For Byrnes, whose last state championship win came in 2008, the minimum goal for this year is simply to improve on last year’s impressive record — and to make it past the first round of the playoffs.
But don’t count the Lady Rebels out of something more.
“Every girl on this team has a willingness to play anywhere, to play at any position,” said Blanton. “They're all about selflessness and doing what's best for the team.
"It’s that willingness that’s going to take us places. That’s what gives us a shot to go further than we’ve been in a long, long time.”
