Christoval Volleyball Makes History Again With First Regional Title

ABILENE, TX — The Christoval High School volleyball team keeps making history with each new playoff trophy it brings home.

In Tuesday’s regional final, the Lady Cougars had to go through the most storied volleyball program in Texas to make it happen.

The Windthorst Trojanettes, with their record 14 state titles, are quite the contrast to a Christoval team that had never won a playoff match before this season.

Yet the Lady Cougars wrote another chapter in this storybook season with a 25-20, 25-22, 25-22 sweep over No. 5-ranked Windthorst to punch their tickets to the state semifinals.

“I’m super excited. The girls played awesome,” Christoval head coach Ashley Panter said. “They handled (the pressure) extremely well. They took everything we have taught them and put it all on the court, and I couldn’t ask for any more from these girls.”

No. 6-ranked Christoval improved to 33-8 and will next play No. 4 Lindsay (36-7) at 4 p.m. Saturday in Azle with a spot in the state championship on the line.

Christoval was a four-win team just two years ago in Panter’s first season with the team.

Since then, she has overseen an incredible turnaround as Christoval improved to 17-19 last year and reached the playoffs for the first time. 

This season, the Lady Cougars won their first district title, followed by four straight playoff wins.

Windthorst, which was looking to reach the state semifinals for the 26th time, ended its season with a record of 30-13.

This story will be updated.