OPENING SERVE: VOLLEYBALL IS BACK ACROSS WEST TEXAS 🏐

VOLLEYBALL IS BACK. 🏐🔥

The wait is over.

After months of offseason workouts, team camps, and anticipation, high school volleyball officially returned Tuesday night across West Texas.

And opening night delivered.

New coaches earned their first wins. Brand new programs made history. Heavyweights battled in five set thrillers. Rivalries were renewed. Young stars announced themselves, and plenty of teams gave us an early glimpse of what could be a special season.

If opening night was any indication...

We're in for one incredible year.

Here's a look at some of the biggest results and top performances from around West Texas. 👇🏻

District 3-5A

Lubbock Coronado during their first timeout vs Shallowater.

FIRST WIN FOR COACH WOOD. 🏐🔥

The 2026 season got underway Tuesday night as Lubbock Coronado traveled to Shallowater, and it was a memorable opener for the Mustangs.

Kaleigh Smith with the big swing. (Steven Liles for Sideline Sports)

After dropping the first set, Coronado responded by winning the next three to defeat the Fillies.

(23-25, 25-16, 25-17, 25-14)

The victory also marked the first career head coaching win for Coronado's Caroline Wood who took over the Lady Mustangs program after being the lead assistant for Coach Moffitt at LCP.

✨ Coronado Leaders:

• Kaleigh Smith: 21 kills, 2 blocks, 4 digs

• Addi Brown: 21 digs, 4 assists, 3 aces

• Vivien Welch: 6 kills, 5 aces, 4 digs

• Allie Shew: 19 assists, 11 digs

Shallowater battled after taking the opening set but couldn't slow Coronado's momentum over the final three.

✨ Shallowater Leaders:

• Piper Noble: 19 assists, 6 digs

• Mia Grimes: 8 assists, 10 digs

• Hadlee Loafman: 11 kills

• Alyvia Holcomb: 7 kills

• Bristyn Currington: 6 kills

• Grace Batista: 23 digs

PIRATES SURVIVE OPENING NIGHT TEST. 🏐🔥

The Lubbock Cooper Pirates opened the season with a hard fought five set victory over Midland Lee.

(20-25, 25-19, 25-18, 23-25, 15-10)

After dropping the opening set, the Pirates responded by taking the next two before Midland Lee forced a deciding fifth. Lubbock Cooper answered one more time, closing out the match to start the season 1-0.

✨ Lubbock Cooper Leaders:

• Broox Lopez: 13 kills, 39 assists, 4 aces

• Lindsay Haynes: 17 kills, 16 digs

• Konli Johnston: 14 kills, 21 digs, 1 ace

The Pirates will be back on the court this weekend at the Denton Ryan Tournament. 👏🏻💪🏻

Broox Lopez swings for the Lady Pirates in their 5-set victory over Midland Lee.

REBELS START STRONG. 🏐🔥

The Tascosa Lady Rebels opened the season with a convincing sweep of Dumas.

(25-17, 25-11, 25-18)

Tascosa controlled the match from the opening serve, putting together consistent runs and never allowing Dumas to build much momentum on the way to the straight set victory.

✨ Tascosa Leaders:

• Harlan Singleton: 8 kills

• Blaire Whatley: 7 kills

• Presley Ward: 6 kills

• Ellen Daniel: 19 assists

• Caitlyn Cox: 19 digs

• Blythe Sanning: 2 blocks

• Jenger Harper: 2 blocks

✨ Dumas Leaders:

• Brooklyn Rose: 5 kills

• Aubrey Catano: 4 kills, 1 block

• Sofia Miramontes: 4 kills

• Sophie Clements: 11 assists

• Yridian Catano: 2 aces, 8 digs

• Gabi Holt: 8 digs

• Alang Makuei: 5 blocks

FRENSHIP GETS A TOUGH TEST TO OPEN THE YEAR. 🏐🔥

Frenship opened the 2026 season with a challenging dual against Abilene Wylie and Randall.

The Tigers battled in both matches, pushing Wylie to 4 sets before taking Randall the distance in a 5-set thriller.

Abilene Wylie def. Frenship(25-18, 25-22, 31-33, 25-18)

✨ Frenship Leaders:

• Reese Roberts: 21 kills, 3 aces, 3 blocks, 2 assists, 12 digs

• Madison Ryan: 11 kills, 6 digs, 1 block

• Taylor Loyd: 9 kills, 10 digs

• Brooklyn Cox: 6 kills, 4 blocks

• Ellie Thane: 26 assists, 2 aces, 9 digs

• Campbell Wilson: 20 digs, 3 assists

Randall def. Frenship(25-22, 23-25, 25-14, 22-25, 15-12)

Frenship answered every challenge and forced a deciding fifth set before Randall edged out the victory.

✨ Frenship Leaders:

• Reese Roberts: 17 kills, 2 blocks, 2 aces, 23 digs

• Madison Ryan: 11 kills, 3 blocks, 5 digs

• Brooklyn Cox: 8 kills, 6 blocks

• Ellie Thane: 5 aces, 23 assists, 1 block, 6 digs

• Emery Ingram: 20 assists, 16 digs

• Campbell Wilson: 29 digs, 1 ace

4A Round Up

Ryleigh Conner smashes a kill for the Lady Patriots.

LADY PATRIOTS OPEN WITH A STATEMENT. 🏐🔥

Liberty kicked off the 2026 season the same way they opened 2025.

With a statement win.

The Lady Patriots outlasted 6A Midland High in an exciting five set battle to start the year 1-0.

(25-23, 19-25, 25-21, 20-25, 15-10)

Every time Midland High answered, Liberty answered right back. The Lady Patriots finished strong in the fifth set to earn an impressive opening night victory.

✨ Liberty Leaders:

• Ryleigh Conner: 21 kills, 3 blocks, 3 digs

• Lexie Allgood: 18 kills, 13 digs, 4 aces

• Karson Killham: 29 assists, 15 digs, 3 aces

• Ellis Roberts: 10 kills, 8 digs

• Kennedy Ezell: 24 digs, 2 assists

• Bree Weatherly: 20 assists

Next up, Liberty heads to Mansfield this weekend for its first tournament of the season. 👏🏻💪🏻

LADY EAGLES BATTLE TO THE END. 🏐🔥

The Canyon Lady Eagles came up just short in their season opener against Bushland.

(19-25, 21-25, 24-26)

Canyon continued to fight after dropping the first two sets and had the third set in reach before Bushland closed it out late to secure the sweep.

✨ Canyon Leaders:

• Laney Jones: 17 kills, 18 digs

• Klair Stone: 4 kills, 12 digs, 1 block

• Masyn Porter: 10 assists, 7 digs, 1 ace

• Brylee McElroy: 12 assists, 5 digs

• Braylee Crockett: 5 kills, 2 blocks

LADY RAIDERS SPLIT OPENING DUAL. 🏐🔥

Randall opened the 2026 season on the road splitting a pair of matches against Frenship and Abilene Wylie.

The Lady Raiders rallied from a set down to outlast Frenship in five before running into a tough Abilene Wylie squad later in the day.

Randall def. Frenship

(22-25, 25-23, 25-14, 25-22, 15-11)

After dropping the opening set, Randall found its rhythm and battled through a back and forth match to earn its first win of the season.

Abilene Wylie def. Randall

(25-16, 25-18, 25-21)

Wylie controlled the match in straight sets, handing the Lady Raiders their first loss of the young season.

LADY WOLVES BATTLE IN OPENER. 🏐🔥

The West Plains Lady Wolves came up short in their season opener against Amarillo High.

(16-25, 21-25, 15-25)

West Plains continued to battle throughout the match, making a push in the second set before Amarillo High was able to pull away and complete the sweep.

✨ West Plains Leaders:

• Teagan Hudson: 8 kills, 1 block

• Sophie Williams: 10 assists

• Lauren Hulen: 7 assists

• Idaly Sotelo: 25 digs

WHITEFACES OPEN WITH A SWEEP. 🏐🔥

The Hereford Whitefaces opened the 2026 season with a convincing road sweep over Palo Duro.

(25-20, 25-17, 25-9)

After a competitive opening set, Hereford found another gear. The Whitefaces got stronger as the match went on, finishing with a dominant third set to close out the season opening victory.

✨ Hereford Leaders:

• Layla Mendoza: 9 kills

• Teagan Thomas: 9 kills

• Illiana Madrigal: 10 assists

• Kyndall Valdez: 3 aces

MUSTANGS PUSH PERMIAN TO FIVE. 🏐🔥

The Andrews Lady Mustangs battled until the very end Tuesday night but came up just short in a five set thriller against Permian.

(25-21, 20-25, 19-25, 25-23, 6-15)

After taking the opening set, Andrews answered again in the fourth to force a decisive fifth before Permian pulled away to secure the win.

✨ Andrews Leaders:

• Rylan Newbrough: 22 kills, 20 digs, 2 blocks

• Emma Sauceda: 49 assists, 5 aces, 13 digs

• Danlee Fisher: 21 digs, 2 aces

• Addy Baeza: 16 kills, 5 digs

A tough opening test for the Lady Mustangs with plenty to build on as the season gets underway.

Around the Area

Locklynn Mounce swings for the Lady Leopards

PROGRAM WIN NO. 1. 🏐🔥

History was made Tuesday night for New Home Volleyball.

The Lady Leopards earned the first official varsity victory in program history, defeating KPA before battling Abernathy in the second match of the dual.

New Home def. KPA(25-16, 25-23)

The Lady Leopards handled business in straight sets to secure the first win in program history.

✨ New Home Leaders:

• Joey Zant: 12 kills, 8 digs, 4 aces

• Haydyn Demel: 9 digs, 3 aces

• Lynlee Gandy: 1 kill, 2 blocks

• Presley Smith: 2 kills

Abernathy def. New Home(25-18, 25-21, 20-25, 25-16)

New Home showed plenty of fight after dropping the first two sets, extending the match with a third set win before Abernathy closed it out in the fourth.

✨ New Home Leaders:

• Joey Zant: 18 kills, 4 blocks, 2 aces, 3 digs

• Haydyn Demel: 11 digs, 1 ace

• Presley Smith: 3 kills

• Ella Cotton: 2 aces, 3 digs

The first win is in the books.

A milestone night for the Lady Leopards as they continue building the foundation of a brand new program. 👏🏻💪🏻

LADY COUGARS SWEEP THE DUAL. 🏐🔥

Christoval opened the season with a perfect night, picking up wins over San Angelo Saints and Grape Creek.

The Lady Cougars rallied after dropping the opening set against San Angelo Saints before cruising through the final two. They followed it up with a dominant straight set win over Grape Creek.

Christoval def. San Angelo Saints(23-25, 25-10, 25-14)

✨ Christoval Leaders:

• Kylie Panter: 8 kills

• Kennison Green: 17 assists, 3 aces

• Bostyn Jones: 6 digs

• Kimbrey Earnshaw: 6 digs

• Hannah Maier: 3 blocks

Christoval def. Grape Creek(25-5, 25-8)

The Lady Cougars controlled the match from the opening serve, never allowing Grape Creek to gain any momentum.

✨ Christoval Leaders:

• Rylee Skinner: 5 kills

• Jordyn Bruns: 11 assists, 6 aces

• Bostyn Jones: 6 aces, 3 digs

A strong start to the season for Christoval with a pair of wins to open 2026. 👏🏻💪🏻

THE GRADY WILDCATS START WITH A SWEEP. 🏐🔥

Grady opened the 2026 season in impressive fashion, sweeping Ira for the first varsity win of the year.

(25-14, 25-7, 25-14)

The Wildcats controlled the match from the opening serve, putting together strong runs in each set and never letting Ira find its rhythm.

✨ Grady Leaders:

• Maci Stack: Team leader in kills

• Jacy Collins: 8 aces

• Emerie White: 8 aces

A dominant way to kick off the season for the Wildcats. 👏🏻💪🏻

Private Schools

SAINTS OPEN WITH A SWEEP. 🏐🔥

All Saints opened the 2026 season with a straight set victory over Midland Classical.

(25-16, 26-24, 25-16)

The Saints controlled the opening set, survived a tight battle in the second, then pulled away in the third to complete the sweep.

✨ All Saints Leaders:

• Sophie Scolaro: 10 kills, 10 digs, 3 aces

• Lauren Brashear: 7 kills, 16 assists, 3 aces, 5 digs

• Hannah Owens: 5 kills, 3 aces, 7 digs

• Breanna Simons: 11 assists, 5 digs

• Ellery Lowe: 4 assists, 5 digs

A strong start to the season for the Saints. 👏🏻💪🏻