Volleyball will play an away game against Irving MacArthur at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. This will be the team’s second game against MacArthur after winning 3-0 on Oct. 1.  

“[MacArthur] is one of the easier opponents we play,” junior Brooke Nichols said. “I feel like it’s an easy game for us, and we have a very strong chance of doing well.”

Volleyball recently started its second round of district and will now be playing all their opponents from the first round again. Volleyball 7-3 and in third place in district behind Flower Mound and Marcus. Keeney said playing against MacArthur will give the entire team freedom to participate in the game.  

“That’ll be a game where I can get some kids who don’t always get to play in some of the games and give them an opportunity to shine and show us what they got,” Keeney said. “This is a game to remind us why we love to play this game. Although I think MacArthur didn’t fight us very hard the last time, I think they’re going to be a little tougher this next round.”

Keeney said she has introduced freshman players into the lineup to help strengthen the front row with their hitting. 

“I pulled up a freshman a week ago, Jada Johnson, and then yesterday I pulled up another, Hannah Redrow,” Keeney said. “Both of them will help us in that front row situation of hitters. That’ll be good for us and it will give us more options.”

Along with modifying the lineup, Keeney has been strengthening the offense and she hopes to create movement within the front row. 

“I feel like it will be a good game to try new things,” senior Alexis Lowe said. “I think with the way we’ve practiced and worked, we can win this game. [Coach Keeney’s] been working with us on things that we’ve struggled with in the past so we can improve our game.”

After MacArthur, volleyball’s next game will be against Coppell on Oct. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at home. The Hawks beat Coppell 3-0 on Oct. 4. Keeney said the girls are getting better in practice and games and she hopes the team will fare better during its second run through district

“I told [the girls] that their energy level in practice has been much better, that they seem more focused,” Keeney said. “I don’t know if it’s me or them or if it’s a combo of the both of us, but they’re doing good things. They’re understanding things that we have to do to be successful.”