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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Wells Jumps Onto Scene With Ole Miss Volleyball
8/5/2011 | Volleyball
Aug. 5, 2011
By Ashley D. Ball
Ole Miss Athletics Media Relations Student Intern
At first glance, Allegra Wells seems like your average volleyball player as she walks into the gym wearing an Ole Miss t-shirt, gym shorts, worn out kneepads and her Nike gym shoes.
Most would think the 6-1 right side hitter played volleyball her entire life. But, that's not the case. Wells' love for volleyball formed in a rare way.
She always played basketball and ran track, but during her sophomore year at Sachse High the school's volleyball coach saw her extraordinary performance in the jumping events - Wells can touch five inches above a basketball rim - and offered her a position on the team.
Wells took advantage of the opportunity and five years later, after lots of practice, diligence and hard work, she has grown to love the sport.
In 2009, her first season at Ole Miss, Wells played in 20 matches and made five starts, recording 51 kills and 34 blocks on the way to her first varsity letter. Last season, she put down 262 kills and 72 blocks as one of the key components in helping the Rebels advance to a third NCAA Tournament in the last five years.
However, behind her athletic image, the 20 year-old Dallas native, is much more than a girl with a great jump.
The youngest of three children, it may be hard to imagine the athlete, as daddy's little angel.
"I'm really close to my dad. I'm such a daddy's girl," she said.
Wells has a close relationship with her entire family, however.
Like most college athletes, Wells keeps a tight schedule too. With 6:30 a.m. workouts every day, volleyball practice, classes and tutoring, she finds the joy in simple things like hanging out with friends, including some of her teammates.
She also revealed her favorite thing to do with her time.
"I love shopping. It is my main hobby," she said with a laugh.
But with such a busy schedule, Wells said she spends most of her time focusing on bringing a championship to Ole Miss in volleyball and her class work.
Following graduation, the broadcast journalism major hopes to trade in her on-court action for a different kind of limelight--TV.
"I ultimately want to work for ESPN interviewing other athletes," Wells said.
Although the volleyball star may appear to have a tough exterior in competition, off the court she is a soft-spoken, laidback, friendly college student, who doesn't take herself too serious, often calling herself a "jokester". She is a daughter, sister, friend, student and athlete, all while trying to navigate her way through the demanding world of a college athlete.
