Volleyball season weeks away from home openers

July 24, 2025

By Clay Whittington

The Belton Journal

Only days separate the Lady Tigers and Lady Broncos from starting their seasons, and once the first matches arrive, the schedule is unrelenting.

Lake Belton, the District 16-5A runner-up from a year ago, hits the ground running, facing stiff competition immediately to begin its campaign.

The Lady Broncos open at Class 6A Killeen Harker Heights on Aug. 12 before taking part in the three-day Duncanville tournament, which brings together elite talent from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The event begins Aug. 14. Then, on Aug. 19, Lake Belton begins its home schedule against Salado.

The Lady Broncos lost their only encounter with the Lady Knights in 2022, and the Lady Eagles are coming off a 40-win season that ended in the Class 4A, Division II state semifinals.

Lake Belton concludes its tournament schedule with trips to the Pflugerville ISD tournament (Aug. 21-23) the ultra competitive Volleypalooza (Aug. 28-30) tournament in Round Rock. In between the events, the Lady Broncos travel to Temple on Aug. 22 and host Leander Glenn on Aug. 26.

After a whirlwind first month, the routine eases a bit with six matches rounding out nondistrict play.

The Lady Broncos play at Robinson (Sept. 2), West (Sept. 12) and Pflugerville Weiss (Sept. 19) and host Bryan Rudder (Sept. 5), Smithville (Sept. 9) and China Spring (Sept. 16).

If all goes according to plan, Lake Belton will be primed for a playoff push with league play starting Sept. 23 at Belton.

The Lady Tigers will have an equally challenging trek to the district opener.

Belton welcomes Round Rock McNeil as its first opponent Aug. 12 before traveling to its first of three tournaments.

Beginning on Aug. 14, the Lady Tigers play in the three-day Georgetown tournament, and they will remain on the road until early September.

Belton has matches set at Rudder (Aug. 19), Harker Heights (Aug. 26) and Killeen (Sept. 2) before returning for its second home match as China Spring comes to town Sept. 5.

Additionally, prior to facing the Lady Cougars, the Lady Tigers take part in the Huntsville tournament (Aug. 21-23) and the Little River Academy tournament (Aug. 28-30).

Nondistrict play for Belton concludes with contests at Gatesville on Sept. 12, at Lorena on Sept. 16 and against visiting West on Sept. 19.

The Lady Tigers and Lake Belton begin the second round of district against each other on Oct. 10.

The Lady Broncos won both encounters last season versus Belton by identical 3-0 scores.

Along with Lake Belton and the Lady Tigers, the district includes Killeen Ellison, Killeen Chaparral, Waco and Waco University.