District 4-5A Volleyball Season Outlook: Cooper, Wylie

(Photo courtesy of Coach Kandice Williams)

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Cooper

Kandice Williams enters her second season as head coach of the Abilene Cooper volleyball program.

Williams believes the experience gained in her first year will pay dividends this fall.

2025 season: Finished 1-26 overall, 0-7 in district.

Cooper returns nine lettermen, including five starters.

Key players:

• Tyra Peters-Williams (Sr. S): Team leader in assists last season and serves as the team’s primary leader.
• Kynadee Whiteley (Jr. OH): Led the Lady Cougars in kills as a sophomore.
• Emie Ruedas (So. Libero): Team leader in digs during her freshman season.

Other key returners:

• Adelina Rocha (Jr. OH)
• Rylee Hawthorne (So. OH)
• Mila Kim (So. DS)

Williams expects an older, more experienced team that has benefited from a full offseason in the program.

Cooper competes in District 4-5A alongside Abilene High, Abilene Wylie, Wichita Falls Legacy and Wichita Falls Memorial.

Wylie

Abilene Wylie enters the season with high expectations after capturing a district championship and advancing to the regional semifinals a year ago.

Coach Shay Cox returns a veteran roster loaded with experience, leadership and chemistry as the Lady Bulldogs look to make another deep postseason run.

2025 season: Finished 34-8 overall and 8-0 in district; won the district championship before falling to eventual state runner-up Argyle in the Class 5A Division II regional semifinals.

Wylie returns 12 lettermen, including five starters.

Key players:

• KiKi Bolden (Sr. OH): Led the team with 507 kills last season.
• Haddie Mock (Sr. MB): A dominant presence at the net on both offense and defense.
• Logan Hill (Sr. DS): Team leader with 371 digs.
• Annalise Loudermilk (Jr. S): Led the Lady Bulldogs with 620 assists.

Other key returners:

• Jenna Stricklin (Jr. MB)
• Morgan Bearden (Jr. DS)
• D’Nae Dolton (Jr. OH)
• Catelee Loudermilk (So. OH)
• Kenley Collier (Jr. S)

Wylie is favored to contend for another District 4-5A title and make a deep playoff run.

District opponents include Abilene High, Abilene Cooper, Wichita Falls Legacy and Wichita Falls Memorial.

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