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Alief Taylor's Mykah Edison
PIECE BY PIECE: Edison’s Progression Has Taught Her How She and Her Teammates Fit at Alief Taylor
“At first, volleyball was just a way to get closer and more involved with my friends,” she said. “But once I started playing and really began to indulge, I couldn’t stop. That just grew into a deep love for the sport, and since then, I’ve stuck with it.”
Her early connection to the unit quickly translated to the court, where she emerged as an outside hitter capable of contributing wherever she was needed.
“I think being able to play in multiple spots has been very helpful to my team,” Edison said. “I joined varsity as a freshman, so that’s where my willingness to rotate based on where the coach needs me started. I’m glad I can do that because it’s such a useful skill to have when you’re constantly in a rotation.”
Dana Strange (VYPE)
The transition wasn’t exactly seamless.
“It was very intimidating at first,” she said with a laugh. “But I proved myself. Nothing came easily, but as soon as they put me on the court, I showed them that I’m here for a reason.”
Now a senior, Edison has grown into more than a versatile asset in the Lady Lions’ rotation. She’s developed a fuller understanding of what it means to help those around her, recognizing that leadership isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about knowing that everyone grows at a different pace.
For an Alief Taylor squad that reached the postseason for a second straight year last fall and now faces a tougher district landscape following UIL realignment, that mindset could prove essential.
“Patience is something I’ve gained, specifically with my teammates,” she said. “Even though I may have joined early, I’ve learned that not everybody is going to get it immediately. So being there to support them as they progress — I think that’s where traits like being empathetic and more observant surface. I feel like that helps me be a better leader and captain.”
Her perspective also shapes the way Edison views her teammates.
The featured standouts of the 2026–27 Alief Taylor Lions volleyball team.Dana Strange (VYPE)
“We’re just a big puzzle,” Edison said. “We all have different interests, but we still come together like puzzle pieces. You could say we’re each a perfect fit for one another in this group.”
Those personalities are part of what makes Edison memorable. During the team’s photoshoot, she broke from the usual poses to incorporate some anime-inspired fireball moves — a glimpse of the personality behind the player.
“Yes, I did come up with those unique anime poses,” Edison said with a laugh. “I figured it would be a fun way to stand out in the photos. But as far as favorites go, my go-to is Hunter x Hunter, and I really love JJK (Jujutsu Kaisen).”
What began as a freshman proving she belonged has grown into something bigger. Edison now understands her role isn’t just to be a piece of the puzzle, but to help make the whole picture come together.
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Kempner's Olivia Algard
FROM SWEDEN TO SUGAR LAND: Algard Finds Her Place Through Volleyball
"I speak Swedish at the house," Algard said. "I always talk about it with my friends. It's a very beautiful place. I have so much family there."
Algard still returns to Sweden for vacations, making sure the connection to her birthplace remains strong even as Texas has become home.
Her journey to Texas came with a major adjustment. When Algard first arrived in the United States, she didn't know a single word of English.
"I was in kindergarten crying all day because I couldn't understand anything," she said.
But it didn't take long for the young Algard to find her voice. She picked up the language quickly, and before long, she was finding another way to communicate—through volleyball.
Matt Powell (VYPE)
That passion began in third grade when she joined a church league. From there, the game continued to grow into something much bigger. She eventually joined a club program, and volleyball became a central part of her life.
Today, Algard can't imagine her life without it.
"The connections you make with people and the memories you make," she said. "That's what I love about it."
And she's not limiting herself to just one version of the sport. Outside of indoor volleyball, Algard plays beach volleyball, an experience she believes has helped expand her game and make her a more complete player. She's hoping to continue playing beach volleyball at the collegiate level.
"It's a whole different game than indoor," Algard said. "It opens my range of volleyball. In the sand, you have to play every position, which makes you a very versatile player on the court."
That versatility is important for an outside hitter, but Algard's biggest growth may come from learning how to manage the expectations she places on herself.
"I try my best, but I'm very hard on myself," she said. “It’s something that I need to get better at. It’s impossible to be perfect, but that is just how I’m programmed.”
Being the oldest of three children has also helped shape her approach. Algard understands that her younger siblings are watching her, and she takes that responsibility seriously.
"I'm the oldest of three," she said. "I show them the way. I try to be a good example for them to follow whether it be in sports or just in everyday life."
That leadership doesn't necessarily have to come from being the loudest person in the room. Sometimes it comes from setting an example, working hard and showing up every day.
And when Algard needs inspiration, she doesn't have to look far. Her grandmother holds that special place in her life.
"My grandma is my biggest inspiration," Algard said. "I love her a lot. I’m her favorite and we just have a really special bond. She lives in Sweden so I don’t see her much, but our connection is strong."
Away from the court, Algard is a fan of romance movies and shows, with rom-coms among her favorites. She also listens to Lana Del Rey, giving her plenty of ways to unwind when volleyball takes a back seat.
But ultimately, volleyball remains her passion.
From a little girl in Sweden who arrived in America unable to speak English to a confident outside hitter dreaming of playing beach volleyball in college, Algard's story is one of finding her place.
She found it on the court. And she plans to keep going.