COSTA MESA – Continued improvement and peaking at the right time will be the focus for the 2024 STUNT team, which begins the season this Friday.

Head coach Leslie Allen has built an elite program – one that has won a national championship and reached the finals in each of the past three seasons.

Between the glory in winning a title and the heartbreak of coming tantalizingly short of repeating, Allen knows that the key to reaching the pinnacle again hinges on improving consistency in all areas. In reflecting upon last season in particular, the seventh-year mentor pointed to overall presentation in partner stunts, which was quarter one. Several slow starts plagued the team in the early going last season.

She was quick to mention that the Lions were exceptionally strong in the pyramids section, which played into being a much more effective second half team. The goal this season is come out strong from the get go.

"We struggled with that a little bit in the final games of the national tournament last year," said Allen. "We're kind of keeping that as a presence in front of us. Knowing that we've got to change the style of the way we look. We've really been focusing on that."

Thought preseason practices and training, the anticipation and anxiety surrounding a new season builds gradually until suddenly…competition begins. Allen anticipates that things will start to fall into place once the team begins to receive feedback from the officials during their opening competitions.

It's an exciting time, and even more so knowing that the Lions are blessed with some terrific incoming talent and a mix of solid veteran leadership.

"Every year, we bring in some great athletes," said Allen. "They come in and work to take their place on the mat with our returners."

The Lions have five seniors on the roster, including Brenna Higdon, Rebecca Im, Graysen Young, Ashlee Hildeman and Tatum Thompson.

"They pretty much will play almost the entire game," said Allen, noting that Higdon will be implemented into some of the partner stunts this year after being utilized in other areas in previous seasons. 

Im is expected to be an anchor in elite partner stunts as one of the powerhouse flyers on the roster.

Young, Hildeman and Thompson are anchors in the base for just about every routine.

"They're doing an amazing job leading out and setting the tone," remarked Allen. "With the leadership that the seniors have, I feel comfortable and confident that they understand and are able to communicate the level that we need to be at."

The freshmen have varying backgrounds and skill sets. Some are highly skilled, but did not come from high school programs that had STUNT. So some have played the sport and others haven't. 

Understanding how to score in terms of tumbling will be a core area of focus. Landing correctly, for example. 

No question though, there are elite tumblers that will give fans plenty of excitement to cheer for in due time.

Allen pointed to a handful who have stepped up in preseason practices.

"Taumiana Owensby is showing up big for us," she said. "She has jumped into the mid position and all of our elite pyramids, which is a new position for a freshman. They don't do the two and a half high pyramids at the high school level. She's jumped in and she's shown a lot of strength.

Tenley Romburger is another solid tumbler who has transitioned well into the "stick and stand" landings expected at this level. In addition, Cienna Laird has come in as a strong flyer and pyramid participant, along with Jabrea Fowler. Fowler is an elite tumbler who has shown up strong in pyramids and partner stunts.

There are eight possible routines that the team can do in each of four quarters during the course of STUNT game. The higher the number, the more difficult the routine. Allen expressed that the team is capable of doing all eight, but the strategy of whether to do all eight depends on the aforementioned presence of consistency.

"The higher levels – in levels seven and eight – we understand it and we can do it," Allen said. "There's still some challenges as to executing it so that it is at that level that will score. It's a continual challenge."

A tough schedule looms ahead for the Blue and Gold, as the team will begin the season with a tournament at Hope International, followed by a long road trip to Denton, Texas. The team also will head up north to compete at a tournament hosted by Jessup, which has become a big rival over the years.

The Lions also will host a tri-meet with visiting Kentucky and CUI. The regular season will end with road battles at CUI and California Baptist. 

The Texas-based tournament – which includes games against Drury, UT Tyler, Trevecca Nazarene and Dallas Baptist – offers the Lions an opportunity to play some NCAA Division II teams that they have not seen before. It's an excellent opportunity to get exposure to competition as VU transitions into Division II next season.

The season begins on February 23, which is a bit later than Allen and company normally are accustomed for opening competitions. The sport allows programs to start as early as February 1.

But that has enabled the Lions to get extra practice and preparation in, which hopefully will serve them well as they will compete in 17 matches over a five week period.

VU then will return to Hope International to participate in Regional STUNT Tournament against Arizona Christian, HIU, Jessup and OUAZ. 

Hopefully, the Lions will have built up a stellar enough résumé to be selected to nationals.

"Our overall schedule is what will help determine whether we go the national tournament or not," said Allen. "Wins and losses. We have a strong schedule."

Can the team peak at just the right time, in hopes of standing atop the STUNT world yet again?

It will be fascinating to watch all that unfold this season.