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, [and] 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 [college] 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.”
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