The Brownwood Lady Lions opened the Abilene Bev Ball Classic with a split Friday, earning their first victory of the 2026 season before falling to host-area opponent Abilene Cooper. Brownwood defeated Class 3A Sweetwater in two sets, 25-18 and 26-24, then lost to Class 5A Abilene Cooper, 25-20 and 25-13.
The two pool-play matches in Abilene left Brownwood with a 1-2 overall record. The Lady Lions were scheduled to return to action at 8 a.m. Saturday for bracket play against an opponent that remained undetermined as of Friday afternoon.
Brownwood earns first win of season
Kaydence Chandler led the Brownwood attack against Sweetwater with seven kills. Camryn Gipson and Ashantia Green added four kills apiece, while Demayha Hooker recorded three. Kimber McLean and Lexi Driskill each contributed two kills.
Driskill directed the offense with 13 assists. Jordan Brixey added seven assists, while Kendall Ratliff and Abby Brasher each had one. Chandler served two aces, and McLean added another.
Driskill also led Brownwood defensively with nine digs. McLean collected six, Ratliff had five, and Gipson and Brixey each finished with four. Chandler recorded three digs, Brasher had two, and Hooker, Green and Hollyn Duncan each had one.
At the net, Green produced two blocks and Hooker added one as Brownwood secured the 25-18, 26-24 victory.
Cooper limits Lady Lions in second match
Against Abilene Cooper, Hooker paced Brownwood with four kills. McLean had two, while Gipson, Driskill and Adyn Lucas each recorded one.
Brixey finished with five assists and Driskill added four. Chandler and Brixey each served an ace. Ratliff led Brownwood’s defensive effort with nine digs, followed by Driskill with seven, Brasher with six and Chandler with five. Hooker had two digs, while Gipson, Lucas and McLean each recorded one.
Chandler registered two blocks against Cooper, and Hooker and Driskill each added one. Brownwood ultimately fell 25-20, 25-13, leaving the Lady Lions to prepare for Saturday’s elimination-style bracket portion of the tournament.