CLICK THE LINK BELOW OR "KEEP READING" TO WATCH THIS MATCHUP ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27:
2PM - Boys Lacrosse: Anderson vs. Plano
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CLICK THE LINK BELOW OR "KEEP READING" TO WATCH THIS MATCHUP ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27:
The featured standouts of the 2026β27 Tompkins Falcons volleyball team.
Attention has naturally shifted toward Tompkins as a legitimate favorite to reach the Culwell Center come November. The Falcons possess the depth, experience, and proven talent to justify the lofty expectations surrounding head coach Allison Merrell's squad.
That said, the well-earned hype won't breed complacency. Motivation should be in ample supply after a dominant 39-6 campaign ended one match shy of the state final, when Austin High rallied from two sets down to eliminate Tompkins in the 6A Division II State Semifinals.
Powering the teamβs response is ascending junior Elsa St. Rose. A true Swiss Army knife on the floor, St. Rose fully asserted herself as an all-around force in 2025, earning District 19-6A MVP honors behind a stat line of 568 kills, 705 receptions, and 371 digs.
The spark behind every point will be senior setter Drew Merrell, an East Texas Baptist commit who earned first-team all-district distinction after surpassing 800 assists and 250 digs a year ago. Sheβll be supported by junior Ava Shepard (675 assists), while district second-teamer Ava Johnk operates opposite St. Rose as one of the teamβs primary pin hitters.
Baylor-bound senior Natalie Kitts brings valuable height in the middle, a presence that will be key as she steps into an expanded role following the graduation of Emma Elsasser (Texas State) and Callie Funk (Yale).
βWeβre strong offensively,β said coach Merrell. βThis offseason has been about finding the right pieces defensively and realizing how much chemistry drives our success as we build on last year. This team is going to be fun to watchβI canβt wait for it to start.β

The featured standouts of the 2026β27 Tomball Cougars volleyball team.
Coming off what can easily be described as the programβs most productive showing to date, Tomball enters 2026 carrying clear momentum and a new standard of expectations.
Led by head coach Jordan Williams, the Cougars now look to capitalize on a breakthrough 41-7 campaign that saw them advance five rounds deep into the playoffs and make the program's first appearance in the UIL State Tournament.
Arkansas commit Gemma Hopkins anchors the backline after capturing District 15-6A MVP honors last fall. While liberos rarely claim that distinction, Hopkins left little room for debate, piling up more than 600 digs, 539 receptions, and 161 assists during an exemplary junior season.
First-team all-district setter Greysen Ortmeier, now a sophomore, enjoyed a monumental varsity debut for the Coogs, compiling more than 1,100 assists and 300 digs. As her chemistry with a seasoned core of teammates continues to grow, those numbers could climb even higher.
Defensively, senior Maddux Doty provides another steady presence alongside Hopkins in the back row. Tomballβs attack will feature no shortage of weapons, headlined by seniors Georgia Hornes (UT Tyler commit), Taylor Choate (Wharton County JC), and Kennedy Spencer, alongside junior standout Kinsley Moretti. Each earned all-district recognition a year ago, giving the Cougars a versatile group of offensive threats.

The featured standouts of the 2026β27 Seven Lakes Spartans volleyball team.
Spartan Nation hasnβt had to wait long to see Seven Lakes volleyball return to championship form. Though they finished third in district play a year ago, the Lady Spartans (27-12) found another gear in the playoffs, advancing four rounds deep, where their run ended against Dawson in the Region III Final.
Much of that same firepower returns for coach Amy Cataline to optimize as the push for a second UIL title resumes, which would mark the programβs first since 2020.
Attention naturally turns to the attacking side for Seven Lakes, where one of the nationβs highly touted middles, Willtrace βWigglesβ Ngoh, anchors the front line. The USC commit posted more than 250 kills and 150 blocks en route to District 19-6A Blocker of the Year accolades. Beyond her exceptional showing at SLHS, Ngoh went on to compete with the USA U19 Womenβs National Team over the summer and earned Under Armour All-American recognition, further solidifying her status on the elite stage.
Fellow senior Gracie Hobin, a Vanderbilt commit, is back in the mix after leading the Spartans with 428 kills, alongside 295 digs and 349 serve receptions, which would earn her a first-team all-district selection.
Nlonna Okwura (Jr. MB) is another name to watch on offense, looking to build on a second-team all-district season in which she racked up over 200 kills and nearly 120 blocks. Meanwhile, senior Emma Sabelli will help stabilize the effort as Seven Lakesβ starting defensive specialist.

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