Ray shines light on areas that need improvement
New coach ready to take Saints to the next level this season
The St. Thomas’ Episcopal girls volleyball team claimed the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools Class 3ADistrict 6 title last season, but the Saints were upset early in the playoffs.
Looking for an edge in its quest for a first-ever TAPPS Class 3A state volleyball crown, St. Thomas’ Episcopal turned to a proven winner, hiring Kayle Ray as the program’s new head coach. Ray replaced Justyna Brewczyk, now at St. Pius X.
“I think the girls felt they were better than second round,” Ray said. “I guess that’s why the brought me here, to rectify that. We want to compete for a state championship.”
Considering those lofty goals, Ray seemed like the ideal choice. She had coached club volleyball for two decades. Ray also was a head coach in the high school ranks at McKinney, Cy Ridge and Fort Bend Clements before taking a break to focus on her daughters Lacy, Kameryn and Keely Hayes, former volleyball standouts at CyFair and in college.
“I left coaching for a couple of years to spend time with my girls,” Ray said, “but now I’m ready to get back into the game.”
Ray admitted it’s different coaching at a private school, but she hopes her background and experience will take St. Thomas’ Episcopal to the next level.
At the very least, Ray’s connections landed the Saints an invitation to last week’s Adidas Texas Volleyball Invitational in Pearland, one of the country’s most prestigious tournaments. St. Thomas’ Episcopal dropped six matches in a row against Plano West, San Antonio Alamo Heights, New Caney Porter, Richardson Pearce, Austin St. Stephen’s and Tomball Concordia Lutheran before notching a 25-11, 25-15 victory over New Caney.
“The girls were looking at me like I was a threeheaded monster. They weren’t used to playing that caliber of competition,” Ray said. “I told them not to worry about the scores, just focus on getting better.”
Ultimately, Ray’s players may thank her at postseason time when the Saints are battletested and ready to take on TAPPS’ powerhouse teams.
St. Thomas’ Episcopal might be one of the favorites. The Saints are loaded with veterans, in addition to several gifted newcomers.
Junior Gia Petties, a 6-foot-1 middle blocker, is one of the area’s top players at her position. Petties is a returning first-team, all-state selection.
“I can’t emphasize how important club volleyball is,” Ray said. “Gia has been played for club teams for years. She’s very advanced and is already getting looks from a couple of colleges.”
Also back are 5-8 junior Jordan Allen and 5-10 senior Meredith Milholland, both outside hitters. Allen was a second-team, all-state pick a year ago, while Milholland earned first-team, all-district accolades.
“Jordan is one of our most powerful hitters,” Ray said. “Meredith has so much experience. She’s one of five seniors on the team.”
Other seniors in the main rotation are 5-2 libero Sydney Kays and 5-4 defensive specialist Claire LeFevers. Seniors coming off the bench are 5-9 setter/right side hitter Gillian Pfeil and 5-3 defensive specialist Hannah Burnett.
But the Saints’ success may hinge on the development of two newcomers.
Junior Rachel Nolte, a 5-9 setter/right side hitter, came back to St. Thomas’ Episcopal after a year at Bellaire.
“Rachel was on the junior varsity at Bellaire, but she learned a lot,” Ray said. “Rachel definitely will help the team.”
The Saints also welcome rising freshman Kathleen Johnson, a 5-10 middle blocker.
“My expectations for Kathleen are off the charts,” Ray said. “She is a phenomenal talent. I can’t wait to see how she matures the next couple of years.”
According to Ray, the top priorities are finding a second setter and bolstering the right side.
“Eventually, I want us to run a 6-2 (offense), but we need a couple of girls to step up,” Ray said.
As if the trip to Pearland wasn’t enough of a challenge, St. Thomas’ Episcopal will compete in the Spring Branch ISD Tournament on Thursday-Saturday, Aug. 20-22.
“We just need to hang in there,” Ray said. “The early part of our schedule is brutal, but we’ll get past it.”