SAN ANGELO, TX — If the San Angelo Central volleyball team wants to win a third straight Nita Vannoy Memorial Volleyball Tournament this weekend, the Lady Cats will have to go about it a different way.
Central isn’t blessed with the height it’s had in previous years, so defense will be the name of the game this season, said head coach Julie Williams.
“Size-wise, we’re small. We definitely learned that when we went to Duncanville for our first tournament,” Williams said. “So for us, it’s going to be all about our defense and frustrating the bigger teams with our defense, which includes our block and our ability to pick up balls and make those teams play long rallies.”
Central will try to outlast a tournament field that includes 27 schools playing at four sites across San Angelo.
The tournament, now in its 48th year, is filled with numerous Concho Valley schools, along with teams of all sizes from across West Texas.
This year’s field includes two ranked teams — No. 7 Water Valley in Class 1A and No. 8 Forsan in 2A.
Class 6A Central and 4A Andrews have met the last two years for the title.
Central is off to a 5-2 start this season and will open its tournament title defense on its home court against Grape Creek at 2 p.m. Friday.
The Lady Cats have five returning starters in middle blockers Gillian Mackie and Aleeya Macias, right side hitter Brisa Balderas, outside hitter Sydney Crooks and libero Adyson Welch.
A sixth senior, right side hitter Jazmyne Gipson, was moved up to the varsity late last season and will be a team leader who plays a big role this season, Williams said.
“They’ve really stepped up and filled the big shoes of the class before them. I’ve been very pleased with their leadership both on the court and off,” Williams said.
Adyson Gilbert leads an exciting group of newcomers, along with Ellison Newlin, Brooklynn Welch, Tori Robertson and Brooklynn Rodriguez.
Central went 28-5 last season and lost a five-setter in the first round of the playoffs to El Paso Eastwood.
Across town, Lake View is coming off a winless season. The Maidens are led by new head coach Kaylee Morgan.
Lake View will begin play in the Nita Vannoy Tournament at 3 p.m. Friday on its home court against Bronte, which reached the 1A state semifinals last year.
San Angelo TLCA will open the tournament at 8 a.m. Friday against Sonora at Lake View’s gym.
Wall and Water Valley will face off at 3 p.m. Friday at Lincoln Middle School.
After pool play Friday, the teams will begin play in one of four brackets Saturday.
2025 Nita Vannoy Memorial Volleyball Tournament
Friday’s schedule
At Central High School
Pool 1
8 a.m. Central JV vs. Buena Vista
9 a.m. Seminole vs. Cedar Hill
10 a.m. Seminole vs. Buena Vista
11 a.m. Central JV vs. Cedar Hill
Noon Buena Vista vs. Cedar Hill
1 p.m. Central JV vs. Seminole
Pool 5
2 p.m. Grape Creek vs. Central
3 p.m. Alpine vs. Fort Stockton
4 p.m. Alpine vs. Central
5 p.m. Grape Creek vs. Fort Stockton
6 p.m. Central vs. Fort Stockton
7 p.m. Grape Creek vs. Alpine
At Lone Star Middle School
Pool 6
2 p.m. Plainview vs. Angelo Saints
3 p.m. Colorado City vs. Angelo Saints
4 p.m. Plainview vs. Colorado City
At Lincoln Middle School
Pool 3
8 a.m. Miles vs. El Paso Jefferson
9 a.m. Forsan vs. Rankin
10 a.m. Forsan vs. El Paso Jefferson
11 a.m. Miles vs. Rankin
Noon El Paso Jefferson vs. Rankin
1 p.m. Miles vs. Forsan
Pool 7
2 p.m. Hawley vs. Lubbock High
3 p.m. Water Valley vs. Wall
4 p.m. Water Valley vs. Lubbock High
5 p.m. Hawley vs. Wall
6 p.m. Lubbock High vs. Wall
7 p.m. Hawley vs. Water Valley
At Lake View High School
Pool 4
8 a.m. TLCA vs. Sonora
9 a.m. Andrews vs. Veribest
10 a.m. Andrews vs. Sonora
11 a.m. TLCA vs. Veribest
Noon Sonora vs. Veribest
1 p.m. TLCA vs. Andrews
Pool 8
2 p.m. Sterling City vs. Lubbock-Cooper
3 p.m. Bronte vs. Lake View
4 p.m. Bronte vs. Lubbock-Cooper
5 p.m. Sterling City vs. Lake View
6 p.m. Lubbock-Cooper vs. Lake View
7 p.m. Sterling City vs. Bronte
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