The high school volleyball regular season starts this week, as teams across the Amarillo-area and South Plains gear up for a thrilling 2026 season. Here’s 20 volleyball players to watch that will make a major impact across West Texas.
Harper Vaughan, 6-1, outside hitter, Jr.
Vaughan went from a promising newcomer a year ago to a household name in a hurry behind her length and powerful right-hand. Vaughan was not only the District 3-5A Offensive Player of the Year, but was also the 2025 Press Pass Sports Offensive Player of the Year, knocking down 417 kills. Vaughan’s vision is equally deadly as she dished out 395 assists and added 226 digs with 52 blocks.
Laney Jones, Canyon, 5-10, outside hitter, Sr.
The Lady Eagles heart and soul returns for her senior season to lead Canyon. Jones is one of the top players in all the Texas Panhandle as the District 4-4A Offensive MVP is coming off a junior campaign that saw her total 422 kills to go with 295 digs and 32 aces.
Berklee Billington, Bushland, 5-10, outside hitter, Jr.
The Press Pass Sports Newcomer of the Year last season and TGCA All-State selection hopes to have a repeat season of a dominant sophomore campaign for a very talented Bushland Lady Falcons squad. Billington was electric at the net making life difficult for opponents by slamming down 621 kills to go with 343 digs and 71 aces.
Amber Matthews, Randall, 6-1, middle blocker, Sr.
The first-team all-district selection and a member of the Press Pass Sports Volleyball Team last season is looking to build on an incredible junior campaign. Filling a big role at the net, the lengthy Matthews was able to power down 318 kills with 128 blocks.
Laynee Adams, Bushland, 5-10, outside hitter, Sr.
Following in the footsteps of her older sisters shadows of great athletes, Adams is another hard-hitting mismatch that delivers at the net for Bushland. Adams gives head coach Jason Culpepper depth on the front row and leadership on the floor. Last season, Adams tallied 540 kills on top of 167 digs and 35 blocks.
Anzley Davis, Amarillo High, 5-5, libero, Sr.
A leader on the floor, Davis will have a major role and will help guide a young Lady Sandies squad. As a junior last season, Davis made her presence known on the defensive side by hitting the hardwood for 286 digs. Davis could also be very key when it came to the serving game for AHS, finishing the year with 45 aces.
Chloe Brown, Randall, 6-0, outside hitter, Soph.
Brown made a name for herself in a hurry thanks to putting together quite the freshman season. With a powerful swing, Brown made life difficult on defenses night in and night out. Brown, who was named the Newcomer of the Year in the district, led Randall with 435 kills and tacked on an impressive 412 digs.
Idaly Sotelo, West Plains, 5-6, libero, Sr.
Sotelo developed into a trustworthy player for head coach Kaitlyn Cornelius last season and was a big part of the Lady Wolves success. As a junior, Sotelo was the glue on defense by scrambling all over the court for 774 digs. For her efforts, Sotelo was named the District 3-4A Defensive MVP.
Lexie Allgood, Lubbock-Cooper Liberty, 5-9, outside hitter, Jr.
Allgood made major strides as a sophomore and the potential as a junior is through the roof. Allgood is one of the top players on the South Plains and is leading one of the top teams in the Lubbock-area. The Lady Patriots had a breakout season in 2025 with 41 wins. Allgood, the District 5-4A Offensive MVP was a huge reason for the knocking down a team-best 322 kills.
Teagan Hudson, West Plains, 5-11, outside hitter/ middle blocker, Sr.
Hudson was a role player last season in the midst of a loaded group of very talented hitters. This season, Hudson’s role will be even more significant as a leader for West Plains as she’ll be looked at as a top player. As a junior, Hudson knocked down 209 kills on top of 34 blocks with 83 digs.
Presley Ward, Tascosa, 5-6, outside hitter, Sr.
Ward is expected to be a huge cornerstone for head coach Carley McCracken’s team. On the offensive side, she gives the Lady Rebels a presence as a hitter with 296 kills last season and on the defensive side, Ward hit the floor for 185 digs a year ago.
Reese Roberts, Frenship, 5-9, outside hitter, Sr.
Frenship took a hit with a talented senior class. The Lady Tigers are now in Class 5A and have ventured into a gruehling 10-team district with the likes of Amarillo High, Tascosa and Lubbock-Cooper. With that said, senior Reese Roberts is going to be a key veteran to help step up and help Frenship. Last season, Roberts was more than capable with 389 kills and 366 digs.
Broox Lopez, Lubbock-Cooper, 5-10, setter, Sr.
Head coach Mike Moffitt worked his entire offense around Lopez and she posted an incredible season. The Houston Christian University commit and 2025 Press Pass Sports second-team selection was named the District 3-5A Setter of the Year for after dishing out an eye-popping 995 assists to go with 170 digs and 124 kills.
Mackenzie Ivy, Frenship Memorial, 5-7, outside hitter, Jr.
Because of Ivy’s play, the Frenship Memorial Lady Panthers were able to get a brand-new program off the ground and establish a strong culture. As a sophomore, Ivy registered 303 kills and was great at the service line with 63 aces. Head coach Whitney Gibson is expecting even more from Ivy this season.
Blaire Whatley, Tascosa, outsider hitter, Jr.
Whatley will see a lot more playing time this year in a much bigger role. The outside hitter did make the most of when she saw the floor last year with 72 kills in 36 sets. Coach McCarley is very impressed with Whatley’s athleticism and versatility around the net. She also is a huge compliment to Ward.
Kaetlin Sundvahl, Dalhart, 5-6, outside hitter, Sr.
The athletic outside hitter will have an even more prominent presence on the court for the Lady Wolves. Being a senior, her leadership will be extremely valuable if Dalhart wants to make a playoff push. Last season as a junior, the versatile Sundvahl tallied 511 assists, 179 kills and 42 aces.
Sophie Clements, Dumas, 5-9, setter, Sr.
Clements maybe one of the more underrated players around. Being in one of the toughest districts in the state, it’s not hard to see why. Clements can play any position on the floor and do it at a high-level. Last season, Clements shined wherever she was on the floor by boasting 525 assists, 272 digs, and 221 kills.
Teagan Thomas, Hereford, 5-6, outside hitter, Sr.
Thomas is the type of player that embodies the Hereford hard-nosed tradition. For the Lady Whitefaces to be successful in 2026, first-year head coach Alyssa Lopez will need everything she can get from Thomas. Last season, the outside hitter had a very productive year with 267 kills and 234 digs.
Addi Brown, Lubbock Coronado, 5-6, libero, Jr.
There’s no question first-year head coach Caroline Wood is more than excited to inherit a player like Addi Brown. Brown is a captain and floor general for a Lady Mustangs team that is hoping to keep stay in the playoff hunt of a loaded district. Last season, Brown was hitting the floor every chance she got by totaling 720 digs.
Emma Williams, Sanford-Fritch, 5-8, outside hitter, Sr.
Behind the play of Williams, the Sanford-Fritch Lady Eagles were able to go unbeaten through District 1-2A and capture the league title. Williams was able to snag the District MVP nod because of her production on the floor and even more is expected this season. Williams was stellar in all of 2025 averaging 12 kills per contest and four digs.
Kai’lan Sturgeon, Vega, 5-9, middle blocker, Jr.
Vega returns some key players at the right positions and is a team to watch for in 2026. For that to happen, look for Sturgeon to be counted on in a massive way. Sturgeon gained a lot of confidence and has gotten better from her 132 kills and 42 blocks last season.
NOTABLE PLAYERS TO WATCH
(CLASS 5A to 1A)
Brenna Seideman, Amarillo High, 6-1, opposite, Jr.
Ellen Daniel, Tascosa, 5-6, setter, Jr.
Avery Bradley, Lubbock Monterey, 5-7, libero, Sr.
Piper Graham, Lubbock Monterey, 5-9, middle blocker, Sr.
Trinady Davis, Palo Duro, 5-6, setter/ outside hitter, Jr.
Jesslyn Gonzalez, Caprock, 5-4, libero, Jr.
Dani Carrales, Caprock, 5-7, outside hitter, Jr.
Berklee Morales, Caprock, 5-3, defensive specialist, Sr.
Konli Johnston, Lubbock-Cooper, 5-7, outside hitter, Sr.
Brooklyn Cox, Frenship, 5-10, middle blocker, Sr.
Taylor Loyd, Frenship, 5-8, outside hitter, Sr.
Kayleigh Smith, Lubbock Coronado, 6-0, outside hitter/ middle blocker, Soph.
Bradleigh Wicks, Frenship Memorial, 5-5, libero, Jr.
Olivia Villegas, Frenship Memorial, 5-11, outside hitter, Jr.
Kambree Gonzalez, Randall, 5-2, libero, Sr.
Klair Stone, Canyon, 5-9, outside hitter, Soph.
Brylee McElroy, Canyon, 5-7, setter, Sr.
Lilly Madrigal, Hereford, 5-5, setter, Jr.
Demi Bitonel, Dumas, 5-8, middle blocker, Soph
Alang Makuei, Dumas, 6-0, middle blocker, Soph.
Hallie Newton, Pampa, 5-9, outside hitter, Sr.
Ellis Roberts, Lubbock-Cooper Liberty, 5-10, opposite, Sr.
Kennedy Ezell, Lubbock-Cooper Liberty, 5-5, libero, Sr.
D’Zayelei White, Plainview, 5-10, middle blocker, Sr.
Railey Diaz, Plainview, 5-3, libero, Sr.
Addyson Bridges, Borger, 6-0, middle blocker, Sr.
Nicole Ramos, Perryton, 5-6, outside hitter, Fr.
Morgan Eberly, Bushland, 5-8, setter, Sr.
Lilah Graves, Shallowater, 5-7, outside hitter, Sr.
Piper Noble, Shallowater, 5-8, setter, Jr.
Hadley Underwood, Idalou, 5-8, outside hitter, Jr.
Kambrie Roye, 6-1, Idalou middle blocker, Jr.
Harlea Adams, River Road, 5-5, outside hitter, Sr.
Gracie Froneman, River Road, 5-6, setter, Jr.
Joie Read, Dalhart, 5-9, outside hitter/ middle blocker, Sr.
Ava Everage, Childress, 6-0, outside hitter, Sr.
Kinley Galligan, Childress, 5-7, libero, Soph.
Aaliyah Padilla, Friona, 5-2, libero, Sr.
Peyton McFarland, Friona, 5-2, outside hitter, Jr.
DJ de Graaf, Vega, 5-7, libero, Jr.
Makenzie Elliott, West Texas High, 5-7, outside hitter, Jr.
Jaydann Gilreath, West Texas High, 5-2, libero, Jr.
Anna Hunter, Sanford-Fritch, 5-10, middle blocker, Sr.
Lincoln Bidwell, Sanford-Fritch, 5-6, middle blocker, Jr.
Aliyah Robinson, Highland Park, 5-9, outside hitter, Sr.
Joey Zant, New Home, 5-8, outside hitter, Sr.
Kloe Chasco, Tulia, 5-9, setter, Jr.
Tatum Bailey, Abernathy, 5-9, setter, Sr.
Taryn Smith, Olton, 5-10, outside hitter, Jr.
Ava Lackey, Miami, 5-6, defensive specialist, Soph.
Brylee Thompson, Miami, 5-8, outside hitter, Soph.
McKinzi McManus, Kelton, 5-8, outside hitter, Sr.
Addi Jernigan, Shamrock, 5-3, setter, Sr. Sr.
Rubi Lopez, Shamrock, 5-3, libero, Jr.
Laney Black, White Deer, 5-7, outside hitter, Jr.
Carsynn White, White Deer, 5-1, libero, Soph.
