Lucy Holmes, photo courtesy of Jose Negrete
The kickoff to volleyball season is just a few days away, and all eyes are on a few all-star players with the talent and experience to pull their team up at crunch time. Wildcat senior Lucy Holmes has been nominated as the 2026 VYPE DFW Preseason Volleyball Player of the Year – Outside Hitter, recognized alongside 36 other area standouts as genuine gamechangers.
“I feel so grateful to be recognized by an organization like VYPE, especially after I’ve left the club volleyball world,” said Holmes, who formerly played for Dallas Skyline Juniors. “High school ball has always been one of the most fun times of the year for me.”
At 6′ 1″, Holmes is returning to a team which went undefeated in district play and expects to retake the District 7-6A championship, but it won’t be easy. UIL realignment has matched Lake Highlands with, instead of Irving schools, the more competitive Plano ISD and Coppell High. Holmes said she tries not to get too ahead of herself when talking about how the season will end.
“This season we’ll have some new pieces, so there’s going to be a learning curve,” Holmes admitted. “I’m super excited to see our development and face new competition in our district.”
Other nominees include Maya Ogbogu of Allen, Sarah Floyd of Highland Park, Brynn Stephens of Walnut Grove, Peyton Smith of Duncanville, Naomi Livings of Prestonwood Christian Academy, Chloe Sims of Waxahachie, Audree Hughes of Southlake Carroll, Taylor Johnson of Hebron, Trinity Ellis of Plano, Aleah “Tootie” Edmond of Flower Mound, Mary-Christine “MC” Crutcher of Mansfield, Lexi Martin of Eaton, Nevaeh Richardson of All Saints’ Episcopal, Tinley Brubaker of McKinney North, Kaelee Berkley of Aledo, Emma Lawless of Birdville, Alexis Elsey of Argyle, Skye Lincoln of Wakeland, Chloe Gerlach of John Paul II, Julia Hudgins of Wylie, Joelle Kelly of Heath, Clarissa Fitzgerald of Lone Star, Bailey Kimberlin of Liberty Christian, Zailey High of Rockwall, Aubree Pratt of Liberty, Kyla Slaughter of Plano East, Ella Smith of Sachse, Brooke Felix of Coppell, Camryn Corso of Reedy, Keira Loisel of Southwest Christian School, Destyni White of Lewisville, Kassi Van Pottelsberghe of Melissa, Ava Green of Decatur, Kayla Murphy of Poteet, Avery Snyder of Marcus and Jayla Thomas of Rowlett.
The LHHS volleyball schedule may be viewed here. VYPE voting is easy — nothing to purchase or sign up for — and you may click here as often as you like until Thursday, August 6.
