The high school volleyball season is officially in full stride. Amarillo High, Tascosa, and Lubbock-Cooper all picked up convincing sweeps, while Monterey found its footing with a bounce-back win. Outside of district play, heavy hitters like Bushland and West Plains proved again why they’ll be forces to watch come playoff time.
Lubbock-Cooper keeps momentum rolling
After hoisting the San Angelo Tournament trophy last weekend, Lubbock-Cooper looked every bit like a team that intends to be in the thick of the district title hunt. Their sweep of Palo Duro wasn’t just a win — it was a statement.
The Pirates’ offense was balanced and efficient, with Broox Lopez spreading 28 assists around and adding pressure from the service line. Haley McCallick provided the firepower with 10 kills, and Clara Pesterfield anchored the back row with 19 digs.
The way Cooper is trending, Coach Mike Moffitt has this group peaking at the right time. They’ll get a good measuring stick this weekend at the Arlington Showcase before district play intensifies. Palo Duro, meanwhile, is still searching for rhythm in what looks like a rebuilding year.
Amarillo High shows championship pedigree
When you’re Amarillo High, expectations never change — championships are always the standard. The Lady Sandies may not be as loaded as some of their powerhouse rosters of the past, but Tuesday’s sweep of Coronado showed they still have all the pieces to contend.
The headline was sophomore Harper Vaughn’s triple-double (11 kills, 18 assists, 11 digs), a performance that showcased her versatility and poise beyond her years. Pair her with Kinsler Hanson’s steady offensive production (16 kills) and the setting duo of Vaughn and Bennett Rea, and the Sandies look balanced.
Coronado showed flashes — particularly with Hailee Parrott’s 11 kills — but this was a reminder that Amarillo High’s system, depth, and tradition still make them the team to beat in 3-5A. At 2-0 in district, the Sandies have the inside track, but the looming matchup with Tascosa could be the early decider.
Tascosa emerges as a serious contender
If Amarillo High is the favorite, Tascosa is proving to be the challenger no one should overlook. Under first-year head coach Carley McCracken, the Lady Rebels have quickly found their stride, improving to 2-0 in district with a sweep of rival Caprock.
The Rebels’ strength lies in their balance: Berkley Harper (14 kills) leads the attack, Addison Merrell sets the table (28 assists), and Bennet Berryman keeps rallies alive with steady defense (17 digs).
Caprock showed effort — Marlene Ramirez (16 assists) and Grace Morales hustled — but Tascosa looks like a program with upward momentum. Their upcoming clash with Amarillo High already feels like a “circle the calendar” showdown for district bragging rights.
Monterey rights the ship
After stumbling last week, Monterey got back in the win column against Plainview in a road sweep.
Emmerson Satterfield (10 kills) and Gabbi Garcia (eight kills) powered the Lady Plainsmen, giving them a reliable one-two punch. At 1-1 in district, Monterey remains in the middle of the playoff hunt — and with some consistency, they could very well disrupt the Amarillo/Tascosa/Cooper hierarchy.
Plainview, meanwhile, has struggled early in district play (0-2), but their scrappy style suggests they won’t be an easy out for anyone.
Non-District Highlights
West Plains showed toughness in a sweep of 6A Frenship, especially in an epic 32-30 third set. Kynzie Ward (19 kills) and Aaniyah Kitchen (12 kills, six blocks) give the Lady Wolves one of the strongest front lines in the region. At 13-7 overall, West Plains looks every bit like a state contender in 4A.
Bushland just keeps soaring. The Lady Falcons (19-3) dominated Dumas behind Berklee Billington’s 14 kills and Ava Permenter’s 30 digs. The depth on this roster is scary — Bushland doesn’t just have stars, they have role players who execute perfectly.
Hereford picked up momentum with two sweeps at home, and Lexi Vallejo’s 21 combined kills show she can be a go-to weapon. At 11-10, the Lady Whitefaces are a team no one should sleep on once district play hits.
San Jacinto (12-3) continues to impress behind setter Blayne Robison, who handed out 34 assists against Friona. With hitters like Alayna Daniel (15 kills) benefitting, the Lady Patriots are becoming a sneaky-good program.
Highland Park clawed out a tight third set to sweep Shamrock. J’Niyah Hern’s 17 kills show she’s one of the most dynamic hitters in the district, and the Lady Hornets (7-7) are trending upward.
Big Picture
District 3-5A already looks like a three-team race between Amarillo High, Tascosa, and Lubbock-Cooper, with Monterey lurking as a potential spoiler. Amarillo High’s tradition makes them the early favorite, but Tascosa’s rise under Coach McCracken is one of the season’s most intriguing storylines.
Outside of district play, Bushland and West Plains are separating themselves as regional powers — both programs look capable of deep playoff runs, and their non-district dominance is proof.
