The Brownwood Lady Lions began the 2026 volleyball season with a straight-sets loss Tuesday night, falling to the Early Lady Horns, 25-17, 25-12, 25-18, at Warren Gym.
The result put Brownwood at 0-1 and Early at 1-0. Early entered the opener after recording the most wins in program history and reaching the postseason in 2025. The Lady Horns were coming off a 28-8 season and returned key contributors Aubrie DeVillier, Grey Pruett, Ellie Shea and Kailyn Gallardo.
Early also added several young players, giving coach Missy Vaughn a roster ranging from freshmen to seniors. The Lady Horns overcame an 11-11 tie in the opening set and controlled the remainder of the match.
Brownwood works through a young roster
Brownwood is in its second season under head coach Kristen Grimes. The Lady Lions lost seven players from last year’s 16-19 team, which won the program’s first two district matches since 2021.
Kaydence Chandler and Demayha Hooker were important contributors last season. Camryn Gipson and Ashantia Green returned this year in expanded roles, while the rest of Brownwood’s 12-player varsity roster is new.
Grimes said Brownwood’s passing and ball control were the most encouraging parts of the opener. The Lady Lions’ defense also showed positive signs, although some plays fell that the team expected to make.
“We did see some good things. Our passing was pretty decent tonight, probably the best part of our game, and that’s what I would like our staple to be, that we’re a good passing and good ball control team.”
Grimes said Brownwood committed 46 errors in the 75-point match, accounting for more than half of the points it allowed. She also pointed to the adjustment required between young setters and hitters who had not previously played together.
“We do have young setters, and our hitters and setters have never played together. There’s going to be pick ups, there’s going to be part times where we don’t connect, and that’s OK because we’ve only had five days together.”
She said the team will focus on communication, blocking and out-of-system attacking as it continues to develop.
Green leads Brownwood at the net and on defense
Green led the Lady Lions with six kills. Chandler and Hooker recorded five kills apiece, followed by four from Gipson.
Abby Brasher had nine assists, while Lexi Driskill added six, Jordan Brixey had four and Chandler recorded one. Driskill served two aces; Green, Brasher and Brixey each served one.
Green also led Brownwood defensively with 11 digs. Brasher had 10, Brixey six, Kimber McLean five, Hooker, Driskill and Kendall Ratliff three apiece, Chandler two and Gipson one. Hooker’s six blocks led both teams, while Chandler added one.
Early’s leading attacker was Aubrie DeVillier with nine kills, followed by seven from Grey Pruett and five from Gallardo. Grey Pruett also led the Lady Horns with 11 assists and three aces, while Aubrie DeVillier recorded 13 digs.
Lady Lions head to Abilene tournament
Brownwood will next compete in the Abilene Bev Ball Classic this weekend. Grimes said the team’s objectives include maintaining its ball control, improving energy and communication, and building habits that allow players to focus more on strategy.
“I’d like to see us continue to capitalize on our ball control.”
Early will travel to Brady for tournament action. Vaughn said the Lady Horns will emphasize more aggressive attacking after their season-opening victory.
Other local volleyball results Tuesday included Bangs defeating Abilene TLCA, Zephyr beating Rising Star, Coleman sweeping Rochelle, Richland Springs defeating Paint Rock, Brookesmith falling to Olfen in five sets and Comanche losing to Lipan.