Christoval Volleyball Makes History Again With First Regional Title

ABILENE, TX — The Christoval High School volleyball team keeps making history with each new playoff trophy it brings home.

In Tuesday’s regional final, the Lady Cougars had to go through the most storied volleyball program in Texas to make it happen.

The Windthorst Trojanettes, with their record 14 state titles, are quite the contrast to a Christoval team that had never won a playoff match before this season.

Yet the Lady Cougars wrote another chapter in this storybook season with a 25-20, 25-22, 25-22 sweep over No. 5-ranked Windthorst to punch their tickets to the state semifinals.

“I’m super excited. The girls played awesome,” Christoval head coach Ashley Panter said. “They handled (the pressure) extremely well. They took everything we have taught them and put it all on the court, and I couldn’t ask for any more from these girls.”

No. 6-ranked Christoval improved to 33-8 and will next play No. 4 Lindsay (36-7) at 4 p.m. Saturday in Azle with a spot in the state championship on the line.

Christoval was a four-win team just two years ago in Panter’s first season with the team.

Since then, she has overseen an incredible turnaround as Christoval improved to 17-19 last year and reached the playoffs for the first time. 

This season, the Lady Cougars won their first district title, followed by four straight playoff wins.

Windthorst, which was looking to reach the state semifinals for the 26th time, ended its season with a record of 30-13.

Tuesday's match was close throughout as neither team ever held a lead bigger than five points in any set.

The opening set was tied 20-20 when Christoval pulled away by scoring the final five points for a 25-20 win.

In the second set, the Lady Cougars trailed 14-9 and never led until they went ahead 22-21 on Paytin Weitner's kill. Christoval scored nine of the final 12 points to rally back for a 25-22 win.

The Lady Cougars then jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the third set, though Windthorst battled back to tie it 9-9. Christoval surged back ahead 19-14 and hung on for a 25-22 win, handling the moment like playoff veterans.

Junior libero Bostyn Jones anchored a strong defense for Christoval, while numerous players stepped up in a balanced offensive attack including standout freshman Kylie Panter, sophomore Rylee Skinner, junior Kenley Smith and seniors Hannah Maier and Ali Guins.

This story will be updated.