With 12 returning seniors and a growing sense of confidence and cohesion, the Reagan County Lady Owls volleyball team has opened two-a-days with energy and purpose under the direction of second-year head coach Turner Stark.
“Things are going a lot smoother this year,” Stark said following the team’s first practice Friday. “Just the familiarity with drills and expectations has allowed us to get more reps in, and we’re already seeing improvement.”
The Lady Owls boast one of the largest senior classes in recent memory, a group that Stark says will anchor the varsity squad both on and off the court.
“A lot of these girls have played varsity since their sophomore year, and not just in volleyball,” Stark said. “They bring experience from basketball and softball too, which really helps.”
Ashley Lopez returns to her role as a setter, paired with fellow senior Jazlynn Acevedo, who Stark is moving back into a setting role after she filled in as a middle blocker last season.
Stark also plans to slide Jincy Fulton, who played outsie hitter last year, into a middle blocker position. Kaidence Wilha, a high-energy junior who played middle blocker on JV last year, is also moving up and expected to be a key presence at the net.
The varsity roster currently features just two underclassmen, meaning the junior varsity squad will largely make up next year’s varsity core. Despite the limited varsity spots available now, Stark said he’s encouraged by the hunger and skill level of the younger players.
“I’ve talked to a lot of them and told them, ‘You may not get your shot this year, but next year it’s going to be all you,’” he said. “And they’ve taken that really well.”
The Lady Owls are targeting a return to the playoffs this fall, with hopes of climbing the district rankings and avoiding another early-round matchup against powerhouse Wink, which has ended Reagan County’s playoff runs the past three seasons.
“Wink has had some great players, including one headed to play at Dallas Baptist, so that’s always been a tough matchup,” Stark said. “But if we can finish higher in district, maybe we don’t see them in the first round again.”
District competition remains stiff. Stark expects Miles to continue fielding a strong program, and he believes Sterling City could be another team to watch. Ballinger, who the Lady Owls outlasted in five sets last year with a reverse sweep, will also pose a challenge.
Reagan County opens with a scrimmage at Veribest on Friday and will host TLCA the following Tuesday. Stark plans to use the scrimmage to experiment with lineups and determine roles before non-district play begins.
One key advantage for the Lady Owls is the continuity within the coaching staff. Stark credited assistant coach Shane Fuller, a veteran coach with deep roots in Reagan County’s softball success, with helping shape the culture of the program.
“Coach Fuller has been huge,” Stark said. “I would’ve been lost last year without him. He brings a ton of experience, and we work together so closely that it almost feels like co-head coaching.”
With strong leadership, a deep roster, and growing confidence in their system, the Lady Owls have their sights set high as the 2025 season gets underway.
