Hornets primed for 20th straight playoff run

The Gatesville Hornets volleyball team has a tradition of excellence that few programs in the state share – 19 straight trips to the playoffs.

This year, as GHS looks to claim its 20th straight playoff berth, coach Janey Weber will rely on the leadership of six seniors as the Hornets compete in a new district.

Gatesville will no longer face road trips to Brownwood, Stephenville, Lampasas and Glen Rose for district competition. Instead, the Hornets will join a Waco-centric district that features China Spring, La Vega, Connally and Robinson, along with Bell County opponent Salado.

"Last year, we were traveling an hour and a half to play district games, so this will definitely be better as far as travel goes," Weber said. "The teams in our district are ones that we always try to keep on our schedule. They are strong programs."

Closer proximity to Gatesville is an added bonus for both the athletes and fans.

Of the Hornets returning players, two earned All District honors. Kaleigh Haywood earned first team recognition and will bolster Gatesville on the outside, while junior Barrett Boyd, who earned second team all-district honors last year as a sophomore, was middle blocker but will also be relied on to play outside, Weber said.

Weber is entering her third season as the team's head coach and her fifth year with GHS and is continuing the winning tradition that former coach Rickey Phillips' – now GISD's athletic director – enjoyed from 2001-2019. Assistant coaches are Ashley Drozd-Hubik and Andrea Holdbrook.

The Hornets were 29-10 last season, and lost a close match in the first round of the playoffs last season against Graham.

"We fought hard and played well, but we lost in four sets," Weber said. "It was a good match."

One of the players the Hornets will miss this year is Tasha Thoms, the team's setter who earned a college scholarship to play beach volleyball at Missouri State.

While Thomas was a dominant force for the Hornets, the example she set and level of excellence she achieved will no doubt inspire those following her in footsteps as a new group of contenders step up and look to make their own positive mark on GHS volleyball.

Weber said one of those stepping up into more of a leadership role is Lola Barron.

"Seeing the kids step up and take on new roles is always exciting. Tasha was a great leader for us, and Lola is doing a great job stepping into that role."

Despite a strong slate of district foes, Weber said she is confident her team will step up to the challenge.

"I feel like this team is very motivated and enthusiastic, and we are really close – like a family," she said. "They feed off each other."

The season-opener for GHS will be Monday, Aug. 8 at University High School in Waco. The home-opener will be Aug. 9 against Fairfield, with the varsity scheduled to take the court at 6 p.m.

"It's been fun watching the players develop and work hard during the spring and summer," Weber said. "We are ready to get going."

Weber said the Hornets will give their best shot in every contest, and she hopes the community will back the team with a good turnout.

"Come out and support us," she said. "We love having a loud and rowdy crowd behind us – the more the merrier. We hope to see you at the games."

GHS volleyball schedule 2022

Aug. 5 scrimmage vs. Killeen and Troy, 10:30 a.m.

Aug. 6 scrimmage against Comanche and Alumni Game, 6 p.m.

Aug. 8 at Waco University, 6 p.m.

Aug. 9 vs. Fairfield, 6 p.m.

Aug. 11-13, Jason Landers Invitational (Austin ISD), times TBA

Aug. 16 at Belton, 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 18-20 Gatesville Invitational, times TBA

Aug. 23 vs. Glen Rose, 6 p.m.

Aug. 25-27 Athens Tournament, times TBA

Aug. 30 vs. Killeen, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 1-3 Belton Tournament, times TBA

Sept. 2 vs. Temple, 6 p.m.

Sept. 6 at Brownwood, 6 p.m.

Sept. 9 vs. Jarrell, 5:30 p.m.

Sept. 13 at Lampasas, 6 p.m.

Sept. 15-17 West Tournament, times TBA

Sept. 16 vs. Burnet, 5:30 p.m.

Sept. 20 at Marble Falls, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 23 vs. Robinson, 5:30 p.m.

Sept. 27 at China Spring, 7 p.m.

Sept. 30 vs. Connally, 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 vs. Salado, 7 p.m.

Oct. 7 at La Vega, 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 11 at Robinson, 7 p.m.

Oct. 14 vs. China Spring, 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 18 at Connally, 7 p.m.

Oct. 21 at Salado, 6 p.m.

Oct. 25 vs. La Vega, 7 p.m.

Oct. 31 Bi-district playoffs begin