High school volleyball is about to kick off in Denton County, with teams permitted to begin practices as soon as Saturday and their first official matches set to start on Monday, August 10. Volleyball has consistently delivered some of the most successful seasons in the region, and last year proved no exception, with four teams making it to at least the regional semifinals. As the 2026 season approaches, several top squads are shaping up as favorites once again, thanks to returning cores and strong individual performances from key players.
Argyle enters the season with a blend of youth and experience after losing just four seniors from last year’s 5A Division II state finalist team. The Lady Eagles bring back a host of talent, including sophomore Alexis Elsey, who led the team in kills and was named District 6-5A Most Valuable Player. Senior setter Betsy Zhang, a UT-Dallas commit, is another standout contributor known for her all-around ability and defensive skills. Junior Sophia Durik returns as one of the top blockers in the program.
The team will continue to split setter duties between Karsyn Rogers and junior Makenna Gregory, both of whom are committed to college programs. Rogers is a senior heading to Arizona State’s beach volleyball team, while Gregory is in her junior year. With a deep and versatile roster, Argyle has the potential to make another deep playoff run and possibly claim its second state championship.
Aubrey is coming off a strong season but has lost some key contributors from its regional finalist squad. The Lady Chaps must now rely on experienced returners such as senior Chloe Miller, who was one of the team’s leading scorers despite missing games due to injury. Miller's consistency and production will be crucial as the team looks to extend its remarkable streak of seven straight appearances in the regional finals.
Junior Jentry Runion is expected to continue her leadership on the defensive side. Sophomores Emma Conley and Liberty Collins, who quickly became important contributors as freshmen, will also take on bigger roles. Aubrey’s head coach, Whitney Marriott, has a proven ability to rebuild teams year after year, which gives the Lady Chaps a solid foundation for another successful season in the playoffs.
Ponder is entering its first Class 4A season after reaching the state semifinals for two consecutive years. While the Lady Lions lost two Division I commits from last season, including the 2025 All-Area Volleyball Most Valuable Player, the team still has senior setter Zoe Dishman, who recorded the second-most assists in the Denton area last fall. Dishman’s playmaking ability is a major asset for the offense.
Senior attacker Kate Simmons is the team’s top returning scorer, and two freshmen—Kloey Simon and Kinley Peacock—are expected to grow into significant roles. Ponder has a history of reaching the regional finals, and with this strong foundation, the Lady Lions are in a great position to build on their recent success.
Stars to Watch in the 2026 Season
Daija Belcher, a senior at Braswell, is one of the area’s top returners. Last season, she was named first-team all-district in the competitive District 5-6A and earned a Second Team All-Area recognition. Belcher was the Lady Bengals’ second-leading attacker with 284 kills and led the team in blocks with 88. Her dual threat on both offense and defense makes her a key player to follow.
Alexis Elsey, the Argyle sophomore, emerged as a standout during her freshman year. She played all six rotations during the Lady Eagles' run to the 5A Division II state final and was awarded District 6-5A’s Most Valuable Player. Elsey recorded a team-high 402 kills, alongside 335 digs, 54 aces, and 39 blocks, earning All-Area Hitter of the Year honors.
Betsy Zhang, another senior from Argyle, was a key player in the Lady Eagles’ state championship run. A UT-Dallas commit, Zhang played all six positions, contributing 252 kills and 235 digs during the season. She also added 53 blocks and 14 aces and was selected as a first-team all-district player for the second straight year, in addition to earning First Team All-Area honors.
Emily Redwine, a senior libero for Denton High, has been a standout since her freshman year. She has already reached the milestone of 1,500 career digs and played a major role in the Lady Broncos’ success. In 2025, Redwine recorded 607 digs, 75 assists, 52 aces, and 39 kills across 91 sets, earning both first-team all-district and First Team All-Area honors.
Aaliyah Ybarra, a senior at Ryan, has been a consistent contributor for her team despite facing challenges early in the season due to an injury.
With these returning stars and a mix of youth and experience, the 2026 volleyball season in Denton County promises to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. The depth of talent and strong leadership from the top programs suggest that another set of thrilling matches and deep playoff runs are on the horizon.