The varsity volleyball team defeated Milby in the opening round of the playoffs, winning in three sets.

They next face Santa Fe on Friday, 6:30 p.m., at Summer Creek in Humble.

The Lady Cougars entered the playoffs as District 22-4A champions.

“We have been working very hard and I am blessed to call these girls my teammates,” said middle hitter Hope Forsythe.

Practice makes perfect, and the Lady Coogs were nearly perfect this year in running up a 12-1 season.

“We’ve been working hard and staying focused in practice,” said senior outside hitter P.J. Meyer. “As long as we continue to give 110 percent, we will be successful.”

The players used Coach Wallace’s advice to get them through the season.

“If we work on the little things, we will continue seeing good results,” said junior right side hitter Allie Harman.

The journey was not easy. They had to adapt to a new district and adopt new strategies.

“We have been working hard on being quick, since we aren’t as big as the other teams,” said middle hitter Mason Lanch.

But no matter what, this team sticks together.

“This year’s team is so much like a family on and off the court, so it pushes us to work harder for each other,” Lanch said.

The team has set new goals coming into the season, and stuck by them the whole way through.

“Our goal is to break the curse to make it past the first round of playoffs this year,” said senior outside hitter Kaili Birkner.

The Lady Cougars have already beaten the toughest teams in the district: Ridge Point, Stratford and Tomball Memorial.

 They’ll face unfamiliar opponents as they begin playoffs in Class 4A for the first time.

Every year, the Lady Cougars set a goal of “being first in District,” Brittney Smith said.

“I am so proud of everyone for striving for no less than excellence and making that goal a reality.”