Highlands volleyball claims District 27-5A lead after early-season slump
The Owls secured the top spot in their district with a three-set sweep of Brackenridge, marking a significant turnaround from a four-game losing start to the 2026 campaign.
Highlands volleyball has moved to first place in District 27-5A following a decisive three-set victory over Brackenridge at the Lanier Activity Center in San Antonio. The Owls won the match 25-20, 25-12, and 25-21 on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, a result that caps a period of significant adjustment for the program after a difficult start to the season.
The win extends the Owls’ district record to 3-0, but it comes after a challenging opening stretch. Highlands lost its first four matches of the 2026 season, including a home sweep by Southwest Legacy and initial defeats at the Corpus Christi ISD Spikefest tournament. These early setbacks contrasted with the expectations set by the previous year, when the squad finished with a 25-14 record and reached the second round of the playoffs.
Senior right-side hitter Jenesis Rodriguez, a fourth-year letterwinner, acknowledged the team’s initial struggles. "It was us going through the motions, not wanting to give it our all," Rodriguez said. The core group, which includes six returning starters and two other letterwinners from the 2025 team, has since found its rhythm, with the recent sweep of Brackenridge serving as a clear indicator of their improved form.
Junior setter Riley Reyes was instrumental in the recent victory, recording 28 assists and nine digs. Reyes noted that the team’s ability to recover from early deficits has become a defining characteristic of their play. "The fact we can come back from being down is one of the biggest assets of our team and it's something we've really worked toward," Reyes said.
Sophomore outside hitter Cybella Davila, who led the team with 13 kills against Brackenridge, reflected on the team’s resilience during the Spikefest tournament. Although the Owls suffered losses on the first day of the event, they recovered to win the copper division. "We got first in copper (bracket), but that first day was really hard on us," Davila said.
The turning point for the season arrived on 15 August, when Highlands secured its first win of the year against Corpus Christi Miller. That victory, followed by wins against Llano and Tidehaven to close out the tournament, provided the momentum that has carried the Owls to the top of their district standings.
