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The stars of 2025-26 Grand Oaks Volleyball
GOLDEN GIRLS: Can No. 1 Grand Oaks make history with third straight title?
GRAND OAKS DID IT AGAIN.
The Grizzlies defended their crown in 2024 as they went 42-7 and claimed the Class 6A-Division I State Championship over Fulshear, marking back-to-back title acquisitions.
So, now it’s time to talk about a three-peat!
Winning a trio of consecutive championships in the UIL 6A classification is a feat that's only been accomplished on one prior occasion -- by the Hebron Hawks, between 2015 and 2017.
Eighth-year coach Morgan Rogers (239-56 at Grand Oaks) returns five starters to see that goal fulfilled, including Wisconsin-commit and two-time 6A-DI State MVP Halle Thompson.
The senior was a TGCA 6A All-State and THSCA 6A Super Elite Team selection and the District 13-6A Most Valuable Offensive Player. By season's end, Thompson finished with 656 kills, a .332 hitting percentage, a 41.9 kill percentage, and 322 digs.
Senior libero Cali Reece is back on the defensive side after earning first-team, all-district and TGCA 6A All-State recognition in 2024. Individually, Reece registered 478 digs, 114 assists and 57 aces.
Other players to watch include Mia Owens (81 kills, 35.8 kill percentage,.230 hitting percentage), Hailey Lotspeich, Julia Flessas and Kate Bull.
Keys to success for Grand Oaks include "staying humble, but staying hungry, and re-establishing their new identity," per Coach Rogers.
THE RANKINGS: No. 4 College Park chasing history... again
CANDICE COLLINS ENTERS YEAR NO. 21 OF LEADING COLLEGE PARK (482 WINS AT CP; 498 WINS OVERALL) AND EYES COACHING CAREER WIN NO. 500 IN 2025.
Last season, the Cavaliers reached the UIL 6A-Division II State Semifinals, finishing with a pristine record of 34-12.
Collins returns four starters from that squad including Kentucky-commit Caroline Prihoda. The back-to-back District 13-6A co-Setter of the Year registered 737 assists and 342 digs a year ago.
Baylor-commit Lacy Tinnell is back after a first-team, all-district selection following a campaign in which she racked up 380 kills, 82 blocks, 78 digs, 37 aces and 28 assists.
Reese Ellen (Oklahoma Christian University) holds down the right side for College Park after recording 258 kills, 108 digs and 28 blocks in 2024. According to Collins, Ellen is an offensive and defensive weapon at the net for them.
Another player to watch is Sadie Kendrick (241 kills, 139 digs, 17 aces, 11 blocks), who was a second-team, all-district pick.
For this team to find success, Collins says they need to work hard together and for each other and learn what works for this year’s team and not be afraid to change things up to get the results they want.
Competing in what can easily be described as the state's toughest districts, it’s time to “WIN THE DAY” at CPHS.