Growing up in Decatur, Gracie Trulson wanted to be one thing – a volleyball player for the Lady Eagles.
Trulson is in her third year with Decatur and has become one of the top players in the area.
In the past 10 years, the volleyball program at Decatur has been among the best. The Eagles have won five UIL state titles in that span, have gone 10-0 in state tournament games and have several more trips to the regional tournament – such as last season when they reached the Class 4A Region 1 semifinals.
“Family or dynasty,” Trulson said when asked to describe Decatur volleyball in one word.
“We all have a special bond and we all love each other so much.”
Trulson still recalls going to games when she was younger, especially during 2018 when Decatur won its third title capped off with a 3-1 win over Needville in the Class 4A championship match in Garland. On that team included Satasha Kostelecky, Trinity Vinzant and a strong freshman class that Trulson would eventually play alongside with.
The title was not only the program’s third, but first of three in a four year span. Trulson would also be in attendance for the 2020 title when she was in the eighth grade.
“That was awesome getting to see that and then getting to play in one. That was so cool,” said Trulson, who did play at state the following year as a freshman. She played in both state tournament games in 2021 – with four kills on eight attempts in the Class 4A semifinals against Bellville and then added five kills on 11 attempts in the championship against Celina.
She started the entire season as a freshman and was voted first-team all-district.
The team was strongly led by 2022 seniors Kota Hartman, Kaylee Peterson, Bayli Miller and Jentry Lamirand.
“That was just such an amazing feeling. It was just unreal,” Trulson said. “I just remember the seniors always being so positive and just loving each other. It was a big senior class, you know, so it was a little intimidating at first. I was so scared. But they were so nice and loved me. They just they took me in.”
Trulson has been playing volleyball since the fourth grade. She plays club with Muscle Volleyball.
Her first memory of the sport came during recreational league. “We weren’t good, but it was fun just playing with each other. I just think like having people around you that love it and like the competitiveness of it. I just loved volleyball so much and I just stuck with it.”
Trulson had a strong summer for Muscle.
“We did pretty good this year for a first year team and I’m really excited for the next year. We went to Utah for a triple crown and we got fifth place, so that was really exciting for us. We did very well and we’re getting a couple of new people, so I’m very excited to see what the future holds for us,” she said.
Recruiting has ramped up for her and she has made a few visits. She wants to let college coaches know she is the best teammate.
“I’ll be the best for my teammate and it’s about the WE and not the I.”
Moving forward to Decatur this fall, the Eagles are entering the second month of the season. Despite a weak record, they have posted one of the strongest schedules in the state.
The Eagles are only 7-15, but have played 30-1 Spring Grand Oaks, TAPPS 6A state champ Plano Prestonwood, UIL 6A champ Dripping Springs, regional finalists Prosper and Celina, and regional semifinalists Boswell and Guyer. Only two teams on their schedule have been against a Class 4A team.
Every other team has been in the two largest classifications.
They capped off August in a big way with a 3-2 home win over Prestonwood – including 15-13 in the fifth set to secure one of the biggest upsets of the season. “Playing those teams makes us realize we’re good enough and we can do it. I think they just make us better and I’m so thankful that we can play them,” said Trulson, who was district MVP and Wise County Messenger All-Area MVP last season.
Decatur brought back an experienced bunch with only three seniors graduated from last year’s team.
“We just want to have a strong bond and chemistry. We want to make sure everyone works together and no one goes off on their own island.”
