The high school volleyball regular season starts this week, as teams across the Amarillo-area gear up for a thrilling 2025 campaign. Here’s 15 volleyball players to watch that will make a major impact in the Texas Panhandle.
Kynzie Ward, West Plains, 6-foot, middle blocker, Sr.
One of the senior leaders returning from helping the Lady Wolves to a trip to the regional championship is Ward. Her size presents problems in the middle finishing the year with 83 blocks last season. On top of those numbers, the first team All-District selection used her power to drive home 271 kills with and added 56 digs.
Amber Matthews, Randall, 6-1, middle blocker, Jr.
Matthews made her name for herself last season as the District 4-4A Newcomer of the Year and has even more expectation in a bigger role for the Lady Raiders this year. Matthews is hoping to improve off a sophomore campaign that saw her blast 190 kills and put down 25 blocks.
Bennett Berryman, Tascosa, 5-6, libero, Sr.
The reigning District 3-5A Defensive MVP is back as a valuable leader for the Lady Rebels with an even bigger expectaion under new head coach Carley McCracken. Last season, Berryman, an Oklahoma Christian University committ, showed how good a defensive player she was averaging 13.5 digs per match.
Aaniyah Kitchen, West Plains, 6-foot, middle blocker, Sr.
The Division I McNeese State commit is the perfect complement to Ward and gives head coach Kaitlyn Cornelius a dangerous combination in the middle of the court. Kitchen is a force on offense, and it showed with 370 kills last year to go with 106 digs and 96 blocks. Kitchen was also a first team All-District selection.
Kinsler Hanson, Amarillo High, 5-8, outside hitter, Sr.
Hanson is going to play an even bigger role for Amarillo High this year after knocking down 217 kills last season to go with 60 digs and 27 blocks. Coach Burns is optimistic about the All-District honorable mention’s leadership ability and what she brings on and off the floor.
Laney Jones, Canyon, 5-10, outside hitter, Jr.
Jones had a sensational sophomore season with even bigger expectations this year after the loss of a veteran group to graduation. Jones was clutch at the net finishing with 257 kills to go with 110 digs.
Ava Permenter, Bushland, 5-5, libero, Sr.
Permenter is one of only two returning players with valuable experience. The libero is as good as they come and will be thrusted into a new role this season. Last year, Permenter finished the year with 90 digs and 21 aces.
Kambree Gonzalez, Randall, 5-3, libero, Jr.
Gonzalaz is a key returner on the back row and a big part of the defense. Last season, the sophomore was clutch hitting the floor for 448 digs to go with 58 aces.
Sophie Clements, Dumas, 5-9, setter, Jr.
Clements has put together quite the career for the Demonettes in a short amount of time. Just a junior on the floor this year, Clements has already totaled 1,172 assists with 505 career digs. Clements can also show her offensive side when need be with 166 career kills.
Harper Vaughan, Amarillo High, 6-0, outside hitter, Soph.
Head coach Haleigh Burns is extremely confident Vaughan will be a household name by season’s end. Vaughan played on JV last year after transferring from West Plains but is now on the varsity and ready to show what she is capable of. Vaughan has a big arm with a big swing and by the end of the year will be a player everyone will be game planning around.
Laynee Adams, Bushland, 5-10, outside hitter, Jr.
Adams is the youngest of a strong line of sisters in Jaycee and Brylee, who were both tremendous athletes at Bushland. After two years finding her way, Adams is now going to be called upon on the outside for coach Culpepper. In limited action last season, Adams used her swing to tally 100 kills and total 25 blocks.
Kammi Maddox, Dalhart, 6-0, outside hitter, Sr.
The 6-foot Maddox is a very versatile player that can play any position on the floor. Being a senior leader, she’ll be asked to play a lot of different positions this season for the Lady Wolves. Last year, Maddox powered home 261 kills and had 65 blocks.
Tayson Schenk, Vega, 5-6, outside hitter, Sr.
Vega broke major ground last season going unbeaten in district and making a historic run to the regional championship. While the Lady Longhorns did lose some key players off that team, Schenk returns to fill the leadership role and carry on that success. The first team All-District selection last year totaled 229 kills with 80 aces and 42 blocks.
Berkley Harper, Tascosa, 5-9, middle blocker, Sr.
Harper is a player that presents problems in the middle for the opponents. Offensively, she was a menace last season averaging over five kills per game and was strong on the block for Tascosa. For her efforts, Harper was a first-team All-District selection last year.
Notable players to watch
(Class 5A to 1A)
Kensleigh Payne, Amarillo High 6-0, middle blocker, Sr.
Gabbie Mason, Tascosa, 5-8, outside hitter, Sr.
Grace Morales, Caprock, 5-5, outside hitter, Sr.
Marlene Ramirez, Caprock, 5-4, setter, Sr.
Trinady Davis, Palo Duro, 5-7, setter-outside hitter, Soph.
Cecilia Murillo, West Plains, 5-6, setter, Sr.
Taos McGehee, West Plains, 5-11, outside hitter, Sr.
Benett Moore, Randall, 5-4, setter, Sr.
Maddie Haugen, Canyon, 5-10, middle blocker, Sr.
Aiva Kerr, 5-4, Canyon, Libero, Sr.
Suzette Reyes, Dumas, 5-2, libero, Sr.
Lexi Vallejo, Hereford, 5-5, outside hitter, Sr.
Teagan Thomas, Hereford, 5-4, outside hitter, Jr.
Karina Gonzalez, Pampa, 5-8, middle blocker, Sr.
Addy Bridges, Borger, 5-11, middle blocker, Jr.
Berklee Billington, Bushland, 5-10, outside hitter, Soph.
Jori Clark, Bushland, 5-10, middle blocker, Jr.
Journey Prince, Childress, 6-0, outside hitter, Sr.
Kaetlin Sundvahl, Dalhart, 5-8, outside hitter, Jr.
Hailey Mayes, River Road, 5-7, libero, Sr.
Grace Froneman, River Road, 5-5, outside hitter, Soph.
Aubree Bunker, Friona, 5-11, outside hitter, Sr.
DJ de Graaf, Vega, 5-5, libero, Soph.
Emma Williams, Sanford-Fritch, 5-8, outside hitter, Jr.
Morgan Lucero, Sanford-Fritch, 5-6, outside hitter, Sr.
Scout Burris, West Texas High, 5-8, outside hitter, Sr.
Aliyah Robinson, Highland Park, 5-10, outside hitter, Jr.
Bentley Brooks, Miami, 5-3, setter, Sr.
Jami Perkins, Wildorado, 5-7, setter, Sr.
Ali Mahler, Fort Elliott, 5-8, outside hitter, Sr.
Jaycee Sewell, Fort Elliott, 5-2, setter, Sr.
Alayna Daniel, San Jacinto Christian Academy, 6-0, outside hitter, Sr.
Blayne Robison, San Jacinto Christian Academy, 5-6, setter, Sr.
Jenni Bell, San Jacinto Christian Academy, 6-1, middle blocker, Soph.