McKinney ISD athletics hosted a swim meet featuring all three high school programs: McKinney High Lions, McKinney North Bulldogs, McKinney Boyd Broncos. All three teams showcased their talents in the water and VYPE DFW was there to capture all of the action! Check out the highlight video below!
Check out these teams in action throughout the rest of the season!
Plano East has become one of the more consistent volleyball programs in North Texas, and head coach Sarah Perez has the Panthers positioned to chase a fourth consecutive playoff appearance in 2026.
Although Plano East enters a new district this season, the expectations inside the program remain unchanged. The Panthers have established a winning culture built on discipline, effort and team chemistry, and Perez expects her squad to compete for a postseason berth once again despite graduating several key contributors from last year's team.
The biggest constant is the return of Dakota Huynh, a two-time District Defensive MVP and one of the area's premier liberos. Huynh has built a reputation as the backbone of the Panthers' defense with her elite court awareness, relentless motor and ability to keep rallies alive. Her leadership and experience will be invaluable as Plano East works several new faces into the lineup.
Outside hitter Kyla Slaughter is another player poised for a breakout campaign. With increased opportunities this fall, Slaughter has the athleticism and offensive versatility to become one of the Panthers' go-to attackers. If she takes the next step, it will provide Plano East with another reliable scoring option to complement its outstanding defensive play.
Perez knows replacing experienced seniors won't happen overnight, but she believes the pieces are in place for another successful season.
"We have some great pieces, we just need to put them together," Perez said. "We need to play as a team, communicate and make great decisions. It's that simple."
That message has become the foundation of the Panthers' offseason. Plano East will rely on chemistry, communication and execution rather than individual star power as it navigates a challenging new district.
McKinney North enters the 2026 season with lofty expectations, and head coach Kendall Brewer believes the Bulldogs have the leadership and experience to live up to them.
The driving force behind this year's team is a senior class that has spent years building toward this moment. Their leadership has become the defining characteristic of the program and, according to Brewer, the biggest separator between McKinney North and its competition.
"We have a really strong senior class," Brewer said. "Their leadership is part of what makes us unique. We have high expectations going into the season."
For Brewer, culture isn't built with catchy phrases or motivational posters.
"It's not slogans on the walls or words on T-shirts," he said. "It's how you behave, rep in and rep out."
Offensively, continuity starts up front, where four of five starters return along the offensive line. That veteran group should provide stability as McKinney North breaks in new quarterback Campbell Seyb, who has impressed throughout the offseason.
"He's way ahead of schedule," Brewer said of his signal caller.
Seyb will have no shortage of weapons. Two All-District wide receivers return to stretch defenses, while running back John Richardson gives the Bulldogs a proven playmaker capable of carrying the load on the ground. With an experienced offensive line paving the way and a talented group of skill players surrounding their new quarterback, McKinney North expects to be one of the district's most balanced offenses.
"Offensively, we feel really good about who is coming back," Brewer said.
The defense is built around one of the area's premier defenders in Eli Harris, a three-year starter who enters the season as the preseason District Defensive MVP. Harris sets the tone with his physicality, leadership and experience, serving as the cornerstone of a unit that expects to be among the district's best.
"We're going to be physical, we're going to be big and we have great athletes in the back end," Brewer said.
With experienced leadership, a veteran offensive line, emerging talent at quarterback and a defense anchored by one of the district's top players, the expectations are high in Bulldog Country. Brewer wouldn't have it any other way.
Plano West has established itself as one of the premier volleyball programs in North Texas, and expectations remain high after capturing the district championship and advancing to the third round of the UIL playoffs a season ago.
Head coach Cooper Phillips has built a culture that balances championship expectations with an environment where players genuinely enjoy competing. While the pressure to win is ever-present at Plano West, Phillips believes success comes from creating a team-first atmosphere where athletes can play with confidence, energy and enthusiasm.
His ability to keep the season fun while maintaining a relentless competitive standard has become one of the program's defining characteristics.
The Wolves enter the 2026 campaign facing a new challenge. Graduation claimed several key contributors from last year's district championship squad, meaning a new group of leaders must emerge. Rather than trying to replace individual stars, Phillips and his staff are focused on developing the next wave of talent and building a roster capable of sustaining the program's tradition of excellence.
VYPE caught up with Coach Phillips on the eve of the 2026 season.
