Bronco volleyball starts strong, collects opening sweep at Harker Heights

August 14, 2025

By Tony Adams,

Belton Journal

The 2025 edition of the Lake Belton Broncos began their season with seven stiff challenges within the season’s first 12 days. While only one counted for the record, the other six were just as important.

On Friday, the Broncos — a 34-12 team and 5A-I Regional Semifinalist in 2024 — began their scrimmage schedule at Weiss High School, taking on the Hendrickson Hawks, Wolves, and Leander Glenn Grizzlies at the Wolves Den in Pflugerville.

In the three 50-minute sessions, the Broncos were tested against each squad, with all three teams displaying height along the net front — a challenge the middles patrolled expertly.

The Broncos grabbed an early lead against the Hawks, using their speed and agility to force Hendrickson — who was 25-24 and a 5A-I playoff team a year ago — out of system at times. The Hawks adjusted mid-session, creating valuable moments of adversity for the Broncos to work through. Overall, the team came out of the initial scrimmage feeling great about their performance.

Next up was Weiss. A 39-12 team and 5A-II Regional Semifinalist last year, the Wolves brought speed and agility that initially challenged the Broncos. But once Lake Belton readjusted, they locked in and went head-to-head with one of the best teams in the Austin area.

Glenn was the final opponent of the Weiss scrimmage. Armed with several tall defenders, the Grizzlies posed a unique challenge. The Broncos, prepared from the earlier matchups, battled Glenn for 50 minutes in a back-and-forth contest that ended with a flurry of volleys — a confidence booster heading into Saturday’s schedule in Copperas Cove.

At the Dawg Pound, the Broncos faced tough competition in Copperas Cove, Salado, and Ellison — all playoff teams in 2024. Salado, notably, was a 4A-DII State Semifinalist with a 40-8 record. Lake Belton held their own against all three teams, sharpening their play ahead of their Tuesday opener against the Harker Heights Knights.

In that opener, the Broncos delivered a strong performance, sweeping the Lady Knights by scores of 25-18, 25-11, and 25-13.

“It sets them up for a rugged weekend tournament at Duncanville,” said Lake Belton head coach Allison Waits.

“Overall, I am proud that we came out on top. Definitely some takeaways of things to work on. It is helpful to know some focus areas before this weekend.”