Fort Elliott grad and former WTAMU volleyball standout Stormi Snider leads Decatur to UIL state championship

From being a high school standout in the Texas Panhandle to one of the best at West Texas A&M to now a state championship volleyball coach, Stormi (Lancaster) Snider’s hard work came to fruition as the Fort Elliott graduate led Decatur to its sixth state championship in program history on Friday at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland.

The Lady Eagles took down Bellville (44-6) in four sets during the UIL Class 4A Division I state championship game, 25-22, 25-21, 24-26, 25-23.

“This is an incredible feeling,” Snider said. “Coaching or playing on that floor in Garland is a dream and to be with this team is truly special. These girls bought into me and it’s an impeccable feeling.”

Starting her coaching career at Sunray, Snider spent the past eight years as the head coach at Ponder before taking over at Decatur this season. The 2009 Fort Elliott graduate and 2012 Lady Buff grad has spend nine years as a head coach and the payoff for this Texas Panhandle native is truly special.

“I never thought I’d be a coach,” Snider said. “Now, I can’t see myself doing anything else. I love the relationships I’ve built and being a mentor to young people. I love that these girls now will be lifelong friends. It’s pretty amazing a girl from Fort Elliott is now living her dream.”

As for the match against Bellville, Lara Hornsby put to the icing on top of a tremendous season being named game MVP with 16 kills and 16 digs for a double-double. Teammate Peyton Dickson added 13 kills and 19 assists for a double-double of her own.”

“This team is truly amazing,” Snider said. “I came to the school in May, and I wanted to get another banner on the ceiling. The team told me they wanted me to get a state title. It’s an amazing feeling. I’m so proud of this entire team.”