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The 2026 Texas high school volleyball season is finally almost here with teams across the Lone Star State tipping off regular-season action next week.
With a brand-new season on the horizon and tournament play nearly in full swing, it’s time to take an in-depth look at the Big Country’s best returning players on the volleyball court at every position.
Now we want to hear from you! Who should be the Abilene Reporter-News’ 2026 Readers’ Choice Preseason All-Big Country Volleyball Player of the Year?
Read more about the 16 finalists for the Preseason All-Big Country Volleyball MVP award and vote for your preferred candidate using the poll below. Voting will close at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15.
Candidates were selected via a combination of 2025 statistics, individual accolades, team success and feedback from area coaches.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the Big Country’s best high school volleyball players did last year, and what you can expect to see from them in 2026:
Athletes listed in alphabetical order below.
More: 2026 All-Big Country High School Baseball Super Team, Awards
More: Dave Campbell's predictions for 3A DI Big Country high school football teams
More: Dave Campbell's predictions for 3A DII Big Country high school football teams
DS/S Lea Aviles, Snyder, Sr.
Aviles – District 5-4A’s Co-Defensive Player of the Year – was a defensive anchor for the Lady Tigers who posted 8.1 digs and 1.6 aces per set during Snyder’s run to the 4A DII playoffs.
OH Kiki Bolden, Abilene Wylie, Jr.
Bolden was named All-District Hitter of the Year in District 4-5A, as well as a Class 5A Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State selection, after she tallied 505 kills, 304 digs, 66 blocks, 50 aces and a .312 hitting percentage for the Lady Bulldogs as a sophomore.
L/DS Addison Carter, Stephenville, Jr.
Carter established herself as one of the Big Country’s most talented defenders during a breakout sophomore season that netted her Co-Newcomer of the Year honors in District 6-4A after she helped the Honeybees finish 33-11 overall.
OH/DS/L Aubrie DeVillier, Early, Jr.
DeVillier is a utility player who can do it all and has become a constant double-double threat for the Lady Horns, tallying 349 kills, 408 digs, 46 aces and 12 blocks on her way to first team all-district status in District 8-3A.
L/S/DS Addie Driskill, Abilene Christian, Sr.
Driskill was one of the top private school volleyball players in West Texas as a junior last season, earning TAPPS 3A District 1’s Setter of the Year award and a TAPPS honorable mention all-state selection after recording 767 assists, 455 digs, 68 aces and 64 kills for the Lady Panthers.
MB/OH Mallory Gibson, Sweetwater, Sr.
Gibson will play a major role in Sweetwater’s quest to return to the UIL Volleyball Playoffs after she took home first team all-district honors in District 6-3A for tallying 290 kills, 149 digs, 21 assists, 15 blocks and five aces for the Fillies.
S/DS Zia Gravitt, Abilene High, Sr.
Gravitt tallied 24.7 points, 7.4 digs, 1.7 kills and 1.3 aces per match to help fuel the Lady Eagles’ run to the 5A DI playoffs and secure the District 4-5A Setter of the Year award as well as first team all-district honors.
S/DS Jaylee Lowe, Hawley, Sr.
Lowe led the Lady Cats to a district championship and a 31-9 overall record after racking up 715 assists, 337 digs, 96 kills and 64 aces to secure All-District Setter of the Year honors in District 6-2A.
More: ARN’s 2026 All-Big Country High School Softball Super Team, Awards
More: Dave Campbell's predictions for 5A DI Big Country high school football teams
More: Dave Campbell's predictions for 5A DII Big Country high school football teams
More: Dave Campbell's predictions for 4A Big Country high school football teams
OH/MB Jayci Majors, Eastland, Sr.
Majors – one of the Big Country’s hardest hitters – averaged 11.9 kills, 11.8 digs, 2.3 assists and 1.3 aces per game for the Lady Mavericks to lock up a first team all-district selection in District 8-3A.
MB Haddie Mock, Abilene Wylie, Sr.
Mock took home the 2025 All-Big Country Volleyball MVP award after she helped push Wylie to the regional semifinals of the 5A DII UIL Volleyball Playoffs by racking up 51 solo blocks and 104 block assists defensively to go along with 243 kills and a .367 hitting percentage
OH/MB Caroline Mullin, Hico, Jr.
Mullin burst onto the scene as one of the Big Country’s brightest stars on the volleyball court by averaging 10.3 digs, 9.0 kills and 1.8 aces per match during the Lady Tigers’ run to the 2A DII playoffs to secure a first team all-district selection in District 5-2A.
OH Alysia Perez, Woodson, Sr.
Perez received honorable mention all-state recognition from the Texas Sportswriters Association and the District 12-1A Offensive MVP award after a strong junior year for the Cowgirls in which she averaged 7.8 kills, 3.0 aces and 2.1 blocks per game.
MB/OH Haylee Phelps, Tuscola Jim Ned, Jr.
Phelps shined for a senior-heavy Jim Ned squad in 2025 as a sophomore and should be poised for another monster year after finishing last season with 278 kills, 94 digs, 47 solo blocks and 38 block assists.
S/DS Grey Pruett, Early, Sr.
Pruett was recognized as the Co-Setter of the Year in District 8-3A after helping Early clinch its first playoff appearance since 2017 by recording 604 assists, 252 digs, 110 aces, 91 kills and 41 blocks.
OH Emilee Silva, Aspermont, Jr.
Silva was recognized as a Class 1A TGCA All-State honoree and a TSWA Third Team All-State pick after an impressive sophomore season where she helped the Hornets win a District 7-1A title.
MB Bella Wade, Stephenville, Sr.
Wade should be primed for a big senior season after earning first team all-district honors in District 6-4A during a standout junior year in which she helped the Honeybees reach the area round of the 4A DI UIL Playoffs.
Continue reading...
With a brand-new season on the horizon and tournament play nearly in full swing, it’s time to take an in-depth look at the Big Country’s best returning players on the volleyball court at every position.
Now we want to hear from you! Who should be the Abilene Reporter-News’ 2026 Readers’ Choice Preseason All-Big Country Volleyball Player of the Year?
Read more about the 16 finalists for the Preseason All-Big Country Volleyball MVP award and vote for your preferred candidate using the poll below. Voting will close at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15.
Candidates were selected via a combination of 2025 statistics, individual accolades, team success and feedback from area coaches.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the Big Country’s best high school volleyball players did last year, and what you can expect to see from them in 2026:
Fan Vote: Who should be the 2026 Readers’ Choice Preseason All-Big Country Volleyball MVP?
Athletes listed in alphabetical order below.
More: 2026 All-Big Country High School Baseball Super Team, Awards
More: Dave Campbell's predictions for 3A DI Big Country high school football teams
More: Dave Campbell's predictions for 3A DII Big Country high school football teams
DS/S Lea Aviles, Snyder, Sr.
Aviles – District 5-4A’s Co-Defensive Player of the Year – was a defensive anchor for the Lady Tigers who posted 8.1 digs and 1.6 aces per set during Snyder’s run to the 4A DII playoffs.
OH Kiki Bolden, Abilene Wylie, Jr.
Bolden was named All-District Hitter of the Year in District 4-5A, as well as a Class 5A Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State selection, after she tallied 505 kills, 304 digs, 66 blocks, 50 aces and a .312 hitting percentage for the Lady Bulldogs as a sophomore.
L/DS Addison Carter, Stephenville, Jr.
Carter established herself as one of the Big Country’s most talented defenders during a breakout sophomore season that netted her Co-Newcomer of the Year honors in District 6-4A after she helped the Honeybees finish 33-11 overall.
OH/DS/L Aubrie DeVillier, Early, Jr.
DeVillier is a utility player who can do it all and has become a constant double-double threat for the Lady Horns, tallying 349 kills, 408 digs, 46 aces and 12 blocks on her way to first team all-district status in District 8-3A.
L/S/DS Addie Driskill, Abilene Christian, Sr.
Driskill was one of the top private school volleyball players in West Texas as a junior last season, earning TAPPS 3A District 1’s Setter of the Year award and a TAPPS honorable mention all-state selection after recording 767 assists, 455 digs, 68 aces and 64 kills for the Lady Panthers.
MB/OH Mallory Gibson, Sweetwater, Sr.
Gibson will play a major role in Sweetwater’s quest to return to the UIL Volleyball Playoffs after she took home first team all-district honors in District 6-3A for tallying 290 kills, 149 digs, 21 assists, 15 blocks and five aces for the Fillies.
S/DS Zia Gravitt, Abilene High, Sr.
Gravitt tallied 24.7 points, 7.4 digs, 1.7 kills and 1.3 aces per match to help fuel the Lady Eagles’ run to the 5A DI playoffs and secure the District 4-5A Setter of the Year award as well as first team all-district honors.
S/DS Jaylee Lowe, Hawley, Sr.
Lowe led the Lady Cats to a district championship and a 31-9 overall record after racking up 715 assists, 337 digs, 96 kills and 64 aces to secure All-District Setter of the Year honors in District 6-2A.
More: ARN’s 2026 All-Big Country High School Softball Super Team, Awards
More: Dave Campbell's predictions for 5A DI Big Country high school football teams
More: Dave Campbell's predictions for 5A DII Big Country high school football teams
More: Dave Campbell's predictions for 4A Big Country high school football teams
OH/MB Jayci Majors, Eastland, Sr.
Majors – one of the Big Country’s hardest hitters – averaged 11.9 kills, 11.8 digs, 2.3 assists and 1.3 aces per game for the Lady Mavericks to lock up a first team all-district selection in District 8-3A.
MB Haddie Mock, Abilene Wylie, Sr.
Mock took home the 2025 All-Big Country Volleyball MVP award after she helped push Wylie to the regional semifinals of the 5A DII UIL Volleyball Playoffs by racking up 51 solo blocks and 104 block assists defensively to go along with 243 kills and a .367 hitting percentage
OH/MB Caroline Mullin, Hico, Jr.
Mullin burst onto the scene as one of the Big Country’s brightest stars on the volleyball court by averaging 10.3 digs, 9.0 kills and 1.8 aces per match during the Lady Tigers’ run to the 2A DII playoffs to secure a first team all-district selection in District 5-2A.
OH Alysia Perez, Woodson, Sr.
Perez received honorable mention all-state recognition from the Texas Sportswriters Association and the District 12-1A Offensive MVP award after a strong junior year for the Cowgirls in which she averaged 7.8 kills, 3.0 aces and 2.1 blocks per game.
MB/OH Haylee Phelps, Tuscola Jim Ned, Jr.
Phelps shined for a senior-heavy Jim Ned squad in 2025 as a sophomore and should be poised for another monster year after finishing last season with 278 kills, 94 digs, 47 solo blocks and 38 block assists.
S/DS Grey Pruett, Early, Sr.
Pruett was recognized as the Co-Setter of the Year in District 8-3A after helping Early clinch its first playoff appearance since 2017 by recording 604 assists, 252 digs, 110 aces, 91 kills and 41 blocks.
OH Emilee Silva, Aspermont, Jr.
Silva was recognized as a Class 1A TGCA All-State honoree and a TSWA Third Team All-State pick after an impressive sophomore season where she helped the Hornets win a District 7-1A title.
MB Bella Wade, Stephenville, Sr.
Wade should be primed for a big senior season after earning first team all-district honors in District 6-4A during a standout junior year in which she helped the Honeybees reach the area round of the 4A DI UIL Playoffs.
Continue reading...
