Sports

After three years of outstanding play, Avalon High School has begun a rebuilding season that includes the hiring of a new head coach of the Lady Eagles. Athletic Director Malcolm Cole signed Ennis native Caitlin Green in May.

Ennis, picked to finish fourth in District 7-5A behind No. 12 ranked Heritage, No.

Making his share of racket as a freshman player a year ago, Henry Mahone is leading the charge this week for Ennis Tennis. HC Keith Howard and the Lions play host to state-ranked Lindale at 9am on Monday, August 3 at the Ennis Tennis Center.

Tina Richards has made her bones coaching softball at Italy High School. A perennial power in the area, winning a number of district crowns and twice reaching the regional finals, when Richards took the wheel to also coach the volleyball team, who knew Midas touch would follow.

A three-week countdown is underway before the August 1 opening of pre-season volleyball practices awaits Ennis and area teams. HC Kelly Henderson will likely have six of the nine varsity players return from a young team whose top loss to graduation was All-District hitter Kylah Smith.

Bump, set and spikes have not produced a winning record at Class 3A Rice since going 17-12 in 2013. The Lady Bulldogs most recent trip to the playoffs occurred in 2021, when the squad went 12-16 in the regular season before losing to Lorena (39-5) in the first round.

Embarking on a new varsity tennis season, HC Keith Howard and Assistant Coach Wyatt Johnson have combined for 51-years of leading young athletes in racquet sports. Distinguished in producing winners, the fall Ennis team is set to take on another challenging schedule.

Palmer enters the new volleyball season bent on extending a streak of winning seasons to five. After a 2613 record was their best since a 25-12 mark in 2016, the Lady Bulldogs graduated eight and are set to rebuild with a younger cast of pups.