Call it what you want, The Battle of Hwy 150 or The Battle of San Jacinto County, when Coldspring and Shepherd square off, it’s always a must-watch showdown.
Aug. 19’s pre-district matchup between the Lady Trojans and the Lady Pirates was no exception, as the two rivals delivered yet another thriller in front of a packed house.
The 2024 regional semifinalist Lady Trojans were jolted awake in the opening set when Shepherd came out swinging. Fueled by energy and determination, the Lady Pirates stunned Coldspring with a 25–19 win to start the night, proving they are no longer the team anyone can overlook.
But great teams adjust, and that’s exactly what Coldspring did. Coach Dwain Anderson quickly huddled his squad, made key adjustments to the playbook, and relied on younger players to step up for injured seniors. The strategy worked. The Lady Trojans found their rhythm and stormed back, taking the next three sets to seal the match. The final scores told the story: 19–25, 25–21, 25–15, 25–12.
“We had a very slow start today, but we managed to regroup and finish strong,” said Cali Crowder. “Coach made a few changes in our lineup that made a big difference.”
Anderson echoed the same praise for his team’s resilience. “We have a lot of seniors this year, but with some of them out, the underclassmen really stepped in and did a great job filling those shoes.”
Shepherd, however, deserves credit of their own. The Lady Pirates are easily one of the most improved teams in the area and showed they can hang with top programs. Their fight in the opening set electrified the crowd and set the tone for a battle worthy of the rivalry’s name.
And what a scene it was. In true small-town Texas fashion, the sidewalks of Coldspring rolled up early as fans flocked to the gym. The stands were standing-room only, and the roar of the crowd carried through every point. When the final whistle blew, fans on both sides agreed, it was one of those unforgettable rivalry nights where passion, pride, and volleyball took center stage.
