SHEPHERD — The Shepherd Lady Pirates took to the court against Chester in a preseason volleyball scrimmage, using the match as a perfect tune-up for the fast-approaching season. The focus wasn’t just on winning points, it was on sharpening skills, building chemistry, and testing new strategies before district play begins.
Senior Abby Anderson sees big things ahead. “We have a new hitter this year who’s going to make a huge impact for us,” she said with a confident smile. That added firepower could be just what the Lady Pirates need to keep opponents on their heels.
Coach Randee Maze echoed the enthusiasm, saying, “We’ll use scrimmages like this to polish the details and make sure we’re ready when the games start to count.”
With a solid core of returning players, the Lady Pirates have both the experience and leadership to navigate the challenges of the season. At the forefront is senior Callie Dean, who’s ready to lead the charge both on and off the court. Her leadership, paired with the team’s depth and determination, has the Lady Pirates aiming high for district play.
From what was seen on the court against Chester, Shepherd’s mix of seasoned veterans and fresh talent could spell trouble for anyone standing in their way this year.
Lady Trojans poised for another
historic run
COLDSPRING — A last-minute cancellation couldn’t slow down the Coldspring Lady Trojans’ momentum. Their scheduled scrimmage against Splendora High School on Friday had to be postponed to Saturday, but instead of letting the evening go to waste, the Lady Trojans turned the setback into an opportunity.
After a quick half-hour warm-up, the girls squared off in a spirited intersquad match, pushing each other point for point. The session wasn’t just a substitute for the scrimmage — it was a chance to fine-tune strategy, sharpen communication, and iron out details ahead of a season filled with high expectations.
Head Coach Dwain Anderson is feeling confident. “We’re excited about this year. We’ve had a great turnout and a lot of returning players,” he said. And the numbers back his optimism — the Lady Trojans made history last season by advancing deeper into the UIL playoffs than any Coldspring volleyball team before them.
This season, they’re aiming even higher. “We want to take district this year and push even further into the playoffs, as far as we can go,” Anderson declared. “We have the talent. Now it’s about execution, and if we play our game, we’ll do just fine.”
While Splendora didn’t make the trip, the Lady Trojans’ energy never dipped. The intersquad battle was fierce, the rallies were long, and the intensity was playoff-level. It was the kind of competitive fire that turns good teams into great ones.
If Friday night’s determination is any indicator, the 2025 Lady Trojans aren’t just planning to return to the playoffs, they’re setting their sights on making history all over again.
