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The Lady Wildcats varsity volleyball team tasted victory in district play for the first time in three years last week.
Elgin outlasted Pflugerville Connally in a five-set thriller Sept. 23 before falling to East View on Friday. The win also marked the first district triumph under first-year head coach Hope Pawlik.
“We came into this season facing some real challenges,” Pawlik said. “Our numbers were low — fewer than 10 freshmen joined us — and many of our athletes didn’t have established roles or positions. We began by running testing drills, just trying to see where each athlete could best fill the gaps we had.”
The Lady Wildcats struck early against the Cougars, taking the first two sets 25-20 and 27-25. Connally responded with back-to-back 25-19 wins to even the match, but Elgin’s girls held firm in the decisive fifth, edging a 17-15 final set to secure the program’s first district win since 2022.
“Once we found where everyone fit, the real work began — rebuilding the culture of the program is no small task,” Pawlik said. “These athletes rose to the challenge. They embraced the unknown, leaned into the process and committed themselves not just to the game, but to each other. The growth we’ve seen is nothing short of amazing.”
Momentum didn’t carry into Friday’s matchup with the Patriots, but that growth was still evident, according to Pawlik. After dropping the first set, Elgin fought hard for a 25-21 win in the second.
East View dominated the rest of the way, closing out a 3-1 victory with a 50-18 margin over the final two sets.
“I’m so proud of the progress they’ve made on and off the court … the foundation they’re helping to lay for the future of this program,” Pawlik said. “That moment of achievement is a reminder of what we’re capable of. While there are still foundational skills we need to refine, I see every day how committed we are to improving and building confidence.”
Senior Bella Navejas and juniors Meta Elliot and Emma Lugala continue to lead Elgin at the net as the team’s top three in kills this season.
With the split, Elgin sits at 6-22 overall and 1-5 in district play. The Lady Cats look to regroup at home Friday, Oct. 3, when they face Hendrickson at 7 p.m.
“What makes me most proud is the way our girls have grown — not just in skill, but in communication, in recognizing the small victories, and in uplifting each other through every step,” Pawlik said. “Their progress is a testament to their hard work and the bond they’re building as a team.”
