Nita Vannoy Volleyball Tournament Returns for 47th Year

SAN ANGELO, TX — The Nita Vannoy Memorial Volleyball Tournament returns to San Angelo this weekend with a fun mix of schools from across the region.

The tournament, now in its 47th year, has long been a showcase for Concho Valley schools, while also drawing teams of all sizes from as far away as El Paso, the Panhandle and the Metroplex.

This year’s 28-team field features four state-ranked teams — No. 2 Benjamin and No. 8 Bronte in Class 1A, along with No. 3 Sonora and No. 6 Wink in 2A.

Class 6A San Angelo Central, which is coming off a 33-11 season last season, will try to defend its championship after sweeping 4A Andrews last year in the final. It was the Lady Cats’ first title at their home tournament since 2018.

Central head coach Julie Williams said it should be another exciting two days of volleyball.

“Even though we’re short four teams, I still think it’s going to be a quality tournament, and I’m looking forward to it,” Williams said. 

The tournament will be hosted at four gyms around town — Central and Lake View high schools and Lincoln and Lone Star middle schools.

The top team from each pool will advance to the Gold Division on Saturday, while second place will advance to the Silver Division, third place will advance to the Bronze Division, and fourth place will advance to the Bronze Challenger Division.

The championship match of the Gold Division will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday at Central.

The Nita Vannoy Tournament is named after the former Central coach who started the tournament in 1977.

Vannoy coached for more than 30 years, including a 13-year stint at Central, highlighted by a state tournament appearance in 1984.

She led Irving High School to the 4A state title in 1973.

Vannoy died in 2003 from injuries sustained in a ranching accident.

Some of Friday’s feature matches include Wall (32-12 last year) vs. Sonora (31-8) at noon at Lake View, and 2023 state qualifier Bronte (29-12) vs. longtime rival Miles (29-10) at 3 p.m. at Lone Star.

Wall and Miles each advanced to the Gold Division last year. Wall lost in three sets in the semifinals to Central. The Lady Hawks finished in fourth place after a three-set loss to El Paso Montwood.

Central’s title defense will begin at 2 p.m. Friday on its home court against Clint Horizon.

The Lady Cats, who are off to a 7-0 start, have high hopes for 2024 after last year’s 33-win season that ended in the second round of the playoffs.

Central lost only three players from that team.

The Lady Cats are led by senior Emilee Sikora, a 6-foot-1 Lubbock Christian University commit who set the Lady Cats’ single-season record with 613 kills last year. 

Central also returns senior outside hitter Sam Cardona and senior setter Journi Jones, who was named the MVP of the Brock Tournament last week.

“Those three are kind of like the glue to our team and hold us together,” Williams said.

Junior libero Ady Welch was named the Defensive MVP of the Brock Tournament.

Central finished in second place in district last year behind Frenship. The Lady Cats want to win the title this time and then make a playoff run, Williams said.

“Last year was our first year to win a playoff game in a long time, and that was really awesome to see,” Williams said. “This year, it’s definitely not just getting to the second round. I feel like this group has the ability to beat whatever Metroplex school we run up against in the second round.”

Across town, the expectations are much different for Lake View, which followed a playoff win in 2022 with a winless season in 2023.

The Maidens were more competitive than their record suggested, however, said Lake View head coach Donita Brown.

“Seven out of our 10 district games, it went the whole five sets. We just couldn’t seem to pull it out in the end, but we were very competitive,” Brown said.

Lake View has lost its first two matches this season — including another five-setter — but the Maidens are continuing to build.

“We have maybe two girls who have actually played varsity ball, so we’re just keeping it positive, and we’re going to keep working and keep pushing the best we can,” Brown said.

Lake View will be led by junior middle blocker Emma Brooks and junior setter Ariana Hernandez.

“Emma worked hard all summer, and she’s really been stepping up as a leader for this team,” Brown said. “Arianna has had a huge positive impact on us, and we definitely wouldn’t be doing as well without those two.”

Lake View will begin its tournament path at 3 p.m. Friday on its home court against Veribest, a 29-win team from last year.

2024 Nita Vannoy Memorial Volleyball Tournament

Friday’s schedule

At Central High School

Pool 1

8 a.m.   San Angelo Central JV vs. Pecos

9 a.m.   Cedar Hill vs. Forsan

10 a.m.   Pecos vs. Cedar Hill

11 a.m.   San Angelo Central JV vs. Forsan

Noon   Pecos vs. Forsan

1 p.m.   San Angelo Central JV vs. Cedar Hill

Pool 5

2 p.m.   San Angelo Central vs. Clint Horizon

3 p.m.   Levelland vs. Lubbock High

4 p.m.   San Angelo Central vs. Levelland

5 p.m.   Clint Horizon vs. Lubbock High

6 p.m.   San Angelo Central vs. Lubbock High 

7 p.m.   Clint Horizon vs. Levelland

At Lone Star Middle School

Pool 6

2 p.m.   Plainview vs. Alpine

3 p.m.   Bronte vs. Miles

4 p.m.   Alpine vs. Bronte

5 p.m.   Plainview vs. Miles

6 p.m.   Alpine vs. Miles

7 p.m.   Plainview vs. Bronte

At Lincoln Middle School

Pool 3

8 a.m.   San Angelo TLCA vs. El Paso Jefferson

9 a.m.   Grape Creek vs. Wink

10 a.m.   El Paso Jefferson vs. Grape Creek

11 a.m.   San Angelo TLCA vs. Wink

Noon   El Paso Jefferson vs. Wink

1 p.m.   Grape Creek vs. San Angelo TLCA

Pool 7

2 p.m.   Hawley vs. Buena Vista

3 p.m.   Water Valley vs. Benjamin

4 p.m.   Buena Vista vs. Water Valley

5 p.m.   Hawley vs. Benjamin

6 p.m.   Buena Vista vs. Benjamin

7 p.m.   Hawley vs. Water Valley

At Lake View High School

Pool 4

8 a.m.   Angelo Saints Homeschool vs. Sonora

9 a.m.   Andrews vs. Wall

10 a.m.   Sonora vs. Andrews

11 a.m.   Wall vs. Angelo Saints Homeschool

Noon   Sonora vs. Wall

1 p.m.   Andrews vs. Angelo Saints Homeschool

Pool 8

2 p.m.   Sterling City vs. Fort Stockton

3 p.m.   Veribest vs. San Angelo Lake View

4 p.m.   Fort Stockton vs. Veribest

5 p.m.   Sterling City vs. San Angelo Lake View

6 p.m.   San Angelo Lake View vs. Fort Stockton

7 p.m.   Sterling City vs. Veribest