A year after finishing 17-21 and fourth in District 22-5A before falling in the opening round of the playoffs, the Cougars have transformed themselves into one of the Houston area’s most intriguing teams. At 24-2 overall and a perfect 6-0 in district play, Kempner has surged to the top of a competitive district and into the latest VYPE Houston Volleyball Rankings, where the Cougars currently sit at No. 4 in the 5A/4A Top 10.
The turnaround is even more remarkable considering the timing. This is the first season under head coach Melynda McGregor, who has helped usher in a new level of belief for a program that has made the postseason sporadically but hasn’t seriously threatened for a district title or made an extensive playoff run in more than two decades.
The Cougars have already taken down several of their biggest district challengers, including Lamar Consolidated, Freeman and Crawford. One remains: Randle, which Kempner will face this week with plenty at stake.
Kempner has gotten plenty of production from a group that brings different strengths to the floor. Junior outside hitter Olivia Algard has been a force on both sides of the net, totaling 168 kills and a team-best 154 digs.
Senior setter/outside hitter Chyanne Bates has done a little bit of everything with 179 assists, 124 kills and 152 digs, while junior setter Ava Galvan has added 157 assists to keep the offense moving. Behind them, senior libero Alexis Luna has helped solidify the back row with 137 digs.
For a squad that has spent years searching for its breakthrough, Kempner has found it in a hurry. And with the biggest tests of the season still ahead, the Cougars are no longer simply chasing a postseason berth—they’re setting their sights much higher.
DeSoto's SaRod Baker (Texas Tech commit)
Waxahachie cemented itself in the Top 3 with a convincing 44-30 victory over Denton Guyer, while Lewisville cracked the Top 10 with a commanding 49-17 win over Denton Ryan. Over in 5A, the competition is heating up quickly, with Lone Star (3-0), Celina (2-0), Argyle (2-1), Anna (3-0), and Timberview (3-0) all gaining momentum early in the season.
Also making their rankings debut this week are Walnut Grove (3-0) and Rockwall (2-1), adding two new names to an already competitive Top 20. Meanwhile, Duncanville, Guyer, South Oak Cliff, and Southlake Carroll each slide in the rankings and will look to bounce back from tough losses.
*** The first section shows the team’s current overall record | The second shows its district record | The third shows its most recent game result (per MaxPreps as of 9/13/2026) | The final section shows its next matchup.
VYPE Dallas-Fort Worth Combined (6A–4A) Top 20 Football Rankings
WEEK 4 (9/14–9/20)
1. Allen Eagles (6A) — 3-0 | 0-0 in District 6-6A | 56-35 win vs. Southlake Carroll | Next Matchup: @ Prosper (9/17)
2. North Crowley Panthers (6A) — 3-0 | 0-0 in District 11-6A | 41-20 win vs. Summer Creek | Next Matchup: @ Duncanville (9/18)
3. Waxahachie Indians (6A) — 3-0 | 0-0 in District 11-6A | 44-30 win vs. Guyer | Next Matchup: vs. Lake Ridge (9/18)
4. Prosper Eagles (6A) — 3-0 | 0-0 in District 6-6A | 49-40 win vs. Westlake | Next Matchup: vs. Allen (9/17)
5. DeSoto Eagles (5A) — 1-2 | 0-0 in District 8-5A D1 | 21-20 win vs. Duncanville | Next Matchup: Burleson Centennial (9/18)
6. Duncanville Panthers (6A) — 1-2 | 0-0 in District 11-6A | 20-21 loss vs. DeSoto | Next Matchup: vs. North Crowley (9/18)
7. Guyer Wildcats (6A) — 2-1 | 0-0 in District 5-6A | 30-44 loss vs. Waxahachie | Next Matchup: Bye Week
8. South Oak Cliff Golden Bears (5A) — 0-2 | 0-0 in District 5-5A D2 | 21-23 loss vs. North Shore | Next Matchup: vs. Hillcrest (9/18)
9. Southlake Carroll Dragons (6A) — 1-2 | 0-0 in District 4-6A | 35-56 loss vs. Allen | Next Matchup: @ Keller Central (9/17)
10. Lewisville Farmers (6A) — 3-0 | 0-0 in District 5-6A | 49-17 win vs. Ryan | Next Matchup: Bye Week
11. Coppell Cowboys (6A) — 2-1 | 0-0 in District 7-6A | 68-7 win vs. Timber Creek | Next Matchup: @ Berkner (9/18)
12. Lone Star Rangers (5A) —3-0 | 0-0 in District 5-5A D1 | 56-27 win vs. Cedar Hill | Next Matchup: Bye Week
13. Aledo Bearcats (6A) — 1-2 | 0-0 in District 3-6A | 31-7 win vs. Trinity | Next Matchup: @ Granbury (9/18)
14. Celina Bobcats (5A) — 2-0 | 0-0 in District 4-5A D2 | Bye Week | Next Matchup: vs. Prosper Richland (9/18)
15. Argyle Eagles (5A) — 2-1 | 0-0 in District 3-5A D2 | 70-21 win vs. Somerset Academy Losee (NV) | Next Matchup: vs. Highland Park (9/18)
16. Anna Coyotes (5A) — 3-0 | 1-0 in District 4-5A D2 | 42-27 win vs. Panther Creek | Next Matchup: vs. Emerson (9/18)
17. Timberview Wolves (5A) — 3-0 | 0-0 in District 7-5A D2 | 60-7 win vs. Richardson | Next Matchup: vs. Burleson (9/18)
18. Walnut Grove Wildcats (6A) — 3-0 | 0-0 in District 6-6A | 37-9 win vs. Reedy | Next Matchup: vs. McKinney (9/18)
19. Rockwall Yellowjackets (6A) — 2-1 | 0-0 in District 10-6A | 46-41 win vs. Melissa | Next Matchup: vs. Horn (9/18)
20. Melissa Cardinals (5A) — 1-2 | 0-0 in District 5-5A D1 | 41-46 loss vs. Rockwall | Next Matchup: Bye Week
GAMES
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