The high school volleyball season gets underway this week with Seagoville and Crandall both facing early non-district tests as the Lady Dragons and Lady Pirates begin their 2026 campaigns.
Seagoville opens on the road Tuesday night against DeSoto, drawing a playoff-tested opponent for its first match of the season.
The Lady Dragons are coming off a 13-17 season, including a 4-10 record and sixth-place finish in District 14-5A. The 13 victories represented a six-win improvement from Seagoville’s 7-14 campaign in 2024.
Lady Dragons Face Experienced DeSoto Program
DeSoto provides Seagoville with an immediate measuring stick.
The Lady Eagles finished 20-13 overall and 9-5 in district play last season, placing third in their district before putting together a strong postseason run. DeSoto defeated Harker Heights 3-1 in the opening round and Tyler Legacy 3-1 in its next playoff match before its season ended with a 3-1 loss to Tomball.
For Seagoville, the opener begins what should be a valuable stretch of early-season competition before district play takes center stage.
The Lady Dragons are scheduled to return to action Thursday against Waco Connally in tournament play. The matchup will also provide a rematch of last year’s early-season meeting, when Connally defeated Seagoville 3-0 at the South Oak Cliff tournament.
Experience Returns for Seagoville
Seagoville enters the season with a sizable group of players who already have varsity experience.
That returning group includes defensive specialist/libero Miley Vasquez, along with Jelani Dominguez, London Williams, Jade Achieng Ngure, Tymecia Brown, Sophilyn Solis, Za’Niyah Cole and Malay Mack.
The group gives Seagoville experience throughout the rotation.
Ngure, listed at 5-foot-9, can contribute at outside hitter, defensive specialist and right side, while the 5-foot-10 Brown provides size in the middle and on the right side. Mack, also 5-foot-10, offers versatility across multiple front-row positions.
Solis and Cole give the Lady Dragons options at setter, while Vasquez and Williams add experience in the back row.
For a Seagoville team looking to take another step forward after last season’s six-win improvement, that returning experience could be particularly important during the opening weeks.
Crandall Opens at Home Against Caddo Mills
While Seagoville heads out on the road, the Crandall Lady Pirates will begin their season at home Tuesday morning.
Crandall is scheduled to face Caddo Mills at 10:30 a.m., opening a new season after finishing 9-17 overall and 7-8 in district competition last year. The Lady Pirates placed fifth in their district standings.
There is also some unfinished business attached to the matchup.
Caddo Mills edged Crandall in a five-set match last season, giving the Lady Pirates an immediate opportunity to reverse the result as they begin the new campaign.
Crandall’s early schedule will continue Friday, Aug. 14, when the Lady Pirates host Ovilla Christian at 1 p.m.
Veteran Core Gives Crandall Experience
Crandall also returns an experienced group from last season’s roster.
Senior libero Harlow Vasquez, senior defensive specialist Maddilyn Focken and senior outside hitter Victoria Garcia give the Lady Pirates experience in both serve receive and attacking roles.
The front row includes considerable size with Audrey Lambert, a 5-foot-11 senior middle hitter, and Jasey Bearden, a 6-foot senior middle hitter.
Junior Mallory Koller adds another option at middle and outside hitter, while sophomore Miken Barnett-Womack provides depth at setter and defensive specialist. Malayah Garrett also returns after being part of last year’s varsity roster.
Crandall’s returning players accounted for a significant portion of the 2025 varsity roster, giving the Lady Pirates a veteran foundation entering coach Courtney Posey’s new season.
Early Matches Begin Long Road Toward District Play
Neither Seagoville nor Crandall will determine its season during the opening week, but the early non-district schedule offers both teams an opportunity to establish rotations, develop chemistry and determine which players will take on larger roles.
For Seagoville, facing a DeSoto program coming off a postseason run should provide an immediate challenge.
For Crandall, a home opener against a Caddo Mills team that defeated the Lady Pirates in five sets last year offers an early opportunity to measure offseason progress.
By the end of the week, both programs should have a much clearer picture of where they stand as the 2026 Texas high school volleyball season gets underway.
