For example, the Allen sisters at Spokane Volleyball lead through performance

Tia and Teila Allen have played volleyball together for most of their lives.

That won’t necessarily change after Tia graduates this year. Spokane next season – it will be different.

“We play beach volleyball together all the time,” Tia said Tuesday after the Wildcats beat Cheney in a Greater Spokane League 4A / 3A matchup. “So we will always have that.”

“It will be exciting to see her go, she will do great things in college,” Teila said. “But it will definitely be a different role for me.”

Reigning Class 3A State Player of the Year, Tia Allen, and Teila, along with sweeper Taylor Miche, were three all-state players who returned this season for head coach of the first year Laurie Quigley.

Quigley appreciates what the sisters bring to the program.

“They are obviously phenomenal volleyball players and even better kids,” she said. “You are just great. They work really, really hard and they are great teammates and great leaders and just great fun to be with. And so every day we are in the gym with them is so much fun.

“Tia is going to be great at the next level and I’m super grateful that we are spending another year with Taila,” said Quigley. “(Taila) obviously brings us so much. I mean, it’s going to be very weird. But that’s why our theme for the whole year is just “Appreciate it” because it ends very soon. “

A seven-week season shortened by COVID doesn’t leave much time for goodbyes. The Wildcats – two-time defending champions of State 3A – are 8-0 and have only lost four sets this season, two against rivals Mead in the district on March 4th. There are two games left before the peak of the season.

In addition to their skills, the sisters have more to offer than meets the eye.

“You just work so hard,” said Quigley. “I think if you’re just an occasional fan they just look so naturally athletic, but they’re just great teammates. Not only is it a natural thing, they actually work super, super hard in the gym – and it’s contagious. Our newbies say, “Oh my god, we want to play with them” because they’re just such good leaders. “

Wildcats’ dominance in the HSL and post-season success in recent years could make it difficult to get up for league games without the possibility of a state game being a challenge. But this season’s uncertainty – and the character of the players in the program – has erased all of that.

“I think this weird season has made it that we don’t take days for granted,” said Quigley. “We saw our JV team quarantine for a week and we know this is a reality. You just don’t really know if you’re going to play the next game.

“I feel like they want to be here every day. And in a strange way, it’s actually done in such a way that there is no complacency. They just want to be here and get all we can from this short season. “

Tia Allen complained that she was unable to pursue a third title in a row.

“Yeah, it’s definitely disappointing,” she said. “Because that was our plan all along. But I’m just really grateful that we were able to have at least something, even if we are not allowed to have a state and it’s a shortened season. I am still very grateful. “

“We talked about it earlier this year,” Quigley said. “But that won’t change. We can just use the games we can play and just try to enjoy being together. “

Tia and Teila felt the transition from Hall of Fame coach Dave Whitehead to Quigley, an assistant to Whitehead for the past three seasons, had been seamless this year.

“It was still the same as last year,” said Teila Allen. “We all love ‘Quigs’ and we’re glad she took over.

“It’s still the same when you practice. We don’t really tell the difference so I’m glad ‘Quigs’ is here. “

“I love Laurie. She’s one of my favorites, ”said Tia Allen.

“I think it’s a slightly different atmosphere, but they still have the same values,” said Tia. “They’re still pushing us the same way they were before. So that hasn’t changed, but yeah, it was good this season. “

In addition to the high school team, the Allens also play with their club volleyball team.

“Club teams are more focused on specific strengths,” said Tia Allen. “I think it’s difficult with high school teams because you usually only have three months with them, so the chemistry is different than on a club team.”

“You did a really good job just to balance,” Quigley said. “If they need a day of rest, we honor it. I will not try to overwhelm their bodies completely

“It was definitely an additional challenge, but it wasn’t a major conflict.”

Tia is orally engaged at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, Washington. College recruiting, like so many others, has been a complicated year for her.

“Right now, the COVID recruiting process has been extremely difficult,” she said. “The NCAA postponed their deadline and dead time, so it was definitely difficult. The schools I have been in contact with are simply not in the right place to offer me a film because they cannot watch in person. “

With Tia in college next season, Teila knows the teams will be more focused on their game plan.

“I’ll probably have to take on more and do more,” she said. “But I’ll still be playing with the same core girls I’ve played with all my life. So it will still be fun and I just hope we can keep our legacy for the next two years. “