Where there is Hope, there is Love.
Dallas College North Lake volleyball has both with returning players Hope Miller and Love Riley leading the charge this season. However, the talented duo would like their play on the court to stand out more than just their names.
They believe North Lake has the potential to reach double-digit victories for the first time since 2018.
“I love how we’re both energetic and uplifting to not only each other, but the team,” Miller said. “I feel like that’s a very big thing for us.”
Said Riley: “Not only are our names unique, it’s just a good feeling to know that someone’s always going to be able to hold me accountable to be better. Iron sharpens iron. I love playing with Hope, and I know our team, when we’re on the same team when we scrimmage each other, it’s magic.”
The Blazers earned their first victory of the season, defeating Independence Community College 3-0, on Aug. 19. They picked up another victory a couple days later, knocking off Seminole State College on Aug. 21.
The season remains in the early stages, but there is a genuine buzz surrounding North Lake with Riley and Miller back. These are two players who earned Honorable Mention All-Dallas Athletic Conference honors last year.
Riley was selected as the DAC Defensive Player of the Week once. Miller, a sophomore hitter from Evadale, Texas, had 153 kills, 45 aces, 303 digs and 54 blocks. Riley had 167 kills, 98 blocks and 80 digs.
Both are drawing interest from four-year programs.
“Words can’t really describe how blessed I feel to even have the opportunity to see coaches that believe in me to try to go and play at their four-year level,” Riley said. “Every day in the summer, I’ve been in the gym, trying to better myself and perfect my craft. I made it my top priority. That’s how important it is.”
Miller echoed those thoughts.
“It’s really exciting, and I’m also blessed for the opportunity to move on to the next level,” she said. “It just makes me feel good that other coaches are seeing the work and the time that I’m putting in and giving me a shot. I’ve also made it the top thing on my list to be able to move on to the next level.”
For now, though, it’s about North Lake and piling up as many victories as possible.
“I really do have faith that we have a good chance to go to nationals,” Riley said. “I feel like we’re the underdogs in this situation, and I really can’t contain my excitement.”