Lady lions experience home in new gym

Stands were packed, the student section was filled and loud. Cheerleaders were hype, music was playing.

Our first home game in our very-own gym on September 5, 2017, was full of energy and spirit; as it should be! GPA has waited 24 years to fulfill its’ dream of having a campus gym.

“Definitely a new experience: felt at home, felt like Grace Prep volleyball”, said Junior Outside Hitter Claire Bullington.

Her feeling of awe is mutual.

“All I can say is WOW, I couldn’t have asked for a better facility,” said Head Coach Prentice Lewis. “Thank you to Dr. Evans and the entire board. The environment has been amazing. Lion nation has come out to support this great 2017 volleyball program.”

Starting some new traditions, Junior Kay Lee Sedwick sang the National Anthem, but was able to do something different too…she led a prayer and read a Bible verse in 2 Corinthians before the first game against AISD’s Juan Seguin High School.

“It was a cool experience to get to be the first one to sing the national anthem in the new gym,” said Sedwick. “I wasn’t thinking about it too hard, I just allowed myself to have a fun time.”

Excitement was in the air.

“It was scary to play in the new gym at first, but we were all really hype and excited before the game and we were jumping around and singing.”

Audience members were just as happy to witness the results of all the fund-raising, planning, and even miracles God brought to the school to get GPA to this very moment.

“I thought it was incredible experiencing this moment, and perfect to see us starting the game with a scripture and prayer,” said Teacher Stephanie Hall. “It was powerful watching our school and Seguin, a public school, hold hands and pray with us.”

Both Junior Varsity and Varsity won against Seguin, who were very accommodating about our very excited crowd. Varsity won 3 sets in a row, while JV won in 4 sets.

As of right now, the lady lions are 3-0 in district play, beating Pantego, Kennedale Fellowship, and Temple.

“The whole team including Coach Lewis, is pretty confident that if we continue our current momentum we can travel all the way to state,” said Sedwick.

In addition to playing in a new gym, the lady lions have a new coach. Since the school opened in 1993, beloved Coach Sandy Kelm has been the volleyball coach. Today, Prentice Lewis, is new to GPA, but has a lot of coaching experience, including coaching for Texas Christian University.