By LONNIE KING  |  © 2025, Big Daddy’s Texas Sports

In June, Grand Oaks celebrated its back-to-back UIL Class 6A state volleyball championships with an emotional ring ceremony. According to Student Center USA, players, coaches, and families gathered as personalized championship rings were unveiled—symbols of grit, unity, and legacy.

Head coach Morgan Rogers reflected at the event, “They didn’t just win. They inspired.”

A Meteoric Rise

What makes the Grand Oaks story even more compelling is how quickly the program has reached these heights. The school only opened in 2018, and in just a few short years the Grizzlies have gone from brand-new varsity program to back-to-back state champions.

In a Houston-area landscape packed with powerhouse programs, their rapid ascent has been nothing short of remarkable. As the Houston Chronicle pointed out, Grand Oaks hasn’t just won games—it has built a culture players want to be part of, and that culture is now setting the pace for Houston-area volleyball.

The Three-Peat Challenge Awaits

The June celebration quickly gave way to new goals.  Grand Oaks is now pursuing a third consecutive state title—something very few programs in UIL 6A history have achieved.

Coach Rogers acknowledged the heightened expectations, telling the Chronicle, “The target will be larger than it was last year. But this group welcomes that, and they love competing.”

A Powerful Start to the Season

As you might expect from a squad that now expects to be playing for championships, the start of the new season got off to a sluggish start, but not in a way that created a sense of panic.

After dropping their opener to Fulshear on August 12, the Grizzlies headed to the Katy-Cypress Classic tournament, where they went an uninspiring 5-3.  However, the final day of the tournament proved to be a launch pad for the team.

After winning both Saturday (August 16) games—against San Antonio Brandeis and Houston Memorial—Grand Oaks went on to dominate The Woodlands on August 19, with a 3-set sweep in their District 13-6A opener.

Following that win, the Grizzlies headed to the DFW Metroplex to participate in the Northwest ISD Classic. And winning continued.

Day 1 brought wins over Frisco Reedy, Cleburne, and V.R. Eaton. Day 2 was more dominant: straight-set wins over Northwest, Lucas Lovejoy and Hebron extended their win streak to nine matches.

And, the six victories on the first two days of the Northwest ISD tourney produced a semifinal match-up against Highland Park at 8 AM on Saturday morning.

The Saturday matches proved to be unkind, whether because of the competition level or early morning wake-up call, and Grand Oaks dropped the Highland Park match in the semifinal, as well as the third-place consolation match against Walnut Grove, a new school in the Metroplex area.

The Grizzlies would finish the tourney with a 6-2 mark.

Why This Season Matters

But, there will be bumps in the road in every season.  And this year isn’t just about winning more matches—it’s about chasing history.

A three-peat would cement Grand Oaks among the most elite volleyball programs in Texas. Players like Halle Thompson, last year’s state tournament MVP, and libero Cali Reece headline a roster that mixes experience with fresh energy.

As the Houston Chronicle pointed out, the pressure of repeating is real, but this group has already shown the resilience to handle it.

The Bigger Picture

Of course, winning three straight state championships is almost unheard of. The odds are stacked against Grand Oaks—not because they lack talent, but because every opponent will see them as the ultimate measuring stick.

The target on their back is larger than ever, and there are plenty of hungry programs waiting for their chance to knock the Grizzlies off the throne.

Yet, whether Grand Oaks completes the three-peat or not, their journey embodies what Texas high school volleyball is all about: tradition, competition, and the pursuit of greatness.