Alli Wright didn’t know she’d be playing college volleyball at Evangel University until a couple of weeks ago. But it’s what she’s wanted all along.
Wright has signed a letter of intent to become a volleyball Crusader after everything came together at the “last minute.”
“I’ve known about Evangel for a really long time, but it’s really expensive. My heart finally told me to end up going there,” Wright says. “The coach actually saw me play at a tournament and she was like ‘I want you to play for me.’ It was all spur of the moment, happened really quickly, but I’m super pumped to see where my future takes me.”
Wright will take a wealth of volleyball experience with her from Republic, and Lady Tiger head coach Piper Wright says it’s been a “joy and an honor” to coach her.
“She’s an amazing young lady. She has been a huge contributor to our success over the last several seasons,” Piper Wright says. “Her passing and defense are key. Anytime we have camps or clinics, or anytime I need a drill done, I pick Ally, because she has picture-perfect form.”
Wright says she knows playing at the college level will be a challenge, but it’s one she’s looking forward to.
“I just know it’s going to be a completely different ball game. It’s going to be more competitive than the high school teams I played,” she says. “They say that most of the friends you make in you have for life. I’m really looking forward to doing that with some of the girls I have on my team.
“It’s such a relief. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders,” she says.
Piper Wright says she’ll miss the competitiveness that Alli Wright brought to the program.
“She’s … just an awesome fire for our team. Anytime I need some enthusiasm or any kind of effort, I look to Ally because she’s always been an amazing leader when it comes to that. She’s always rallying the troops and getting everyone excited.”