Grand Oaks HS Volleyball Celebrates 2024 State Championship with Ring Ceremony

High school team caps off historic back-to-back title run with emotional celebration.

Friday, June 20, 2025 | 6:00 p.m.

Spring, Texas – Grand Oaks High School hosted a ring ceremony Friday night to honor its 2024 UIL Class 6A volleyball state champions, giving players, coaches, and families a moment to reflect on a season that ended with the program’s second consecutive title.

This ceremony marked the official presentation and unveiling of the 2024 state championship rings. As players received their personalized boxes onstage, the team waited for a countdown to open them together, revealing their newest piece of hardware. Grand Oaks also won the 2023 state title, making this a back-to-back celebration for several returning players and a milestone night in program history.

A Season—and Legacy—Remembered

Head Coach Morgan Rogers opened the evening with a heartfelt message of gratitude and pride. “They didn’t just win. They inspired,” Rogers said during her opening remarks. “These rings you’re about to receive represent a season of success—but more than that, they represent sacrifice, belief, and the family you built together."

As players took their seats onstage, wearing their championship medals and flanked by two glittering state trophies, a slideshow played on the large screen above them. Personalized ring boxes sat in front of each nameplate, but the reveal was saved for a group countdown near the end of the ceremony.

Captains Reflect on the Journey

Captains Halle Thompson and Samara Coleman each took the microphone to speak on behalf of the team. For Thompson, a rising senior and University of Wisconsin commit, the ceremony was more than just a celebration—it was a challenge. “It’s fuel to my flame,” she said. “This is just one more step in a legacy I want to leave behind".

Coleman, now at TCU and back in town for the summer, echoed that sentiment. “The rings may be twins, but the experiences were different,” she told the audience. “I feel like I’m stepping into more of a role model position now, and it’s surreal coming back to where it all started.”

The Rings Tell a Story

Coach Rogers played a lead role in the ring’s design. With the help of Southern Recognition, the team created a ring that was full of symbolism: two large stones for each championship, six blue stones to honor returning players from both title runs, and the phrase “Found a Way” inscribed as a nod to the team’s battle-tested mentality throughout the season.

“Early in the year, it didn’t look the same as before,” Rogers recalled. “But the girls believed. They believed in the work, in our system, and most importantly—in each other.”

Overcoming Early Doubts and Late Challenges

Rogers didn’t shy away from recalling the difficult start to the 2024 season. The team lost their opener to Fort Bend Fulshire—a squad they would later face again in the state championship match. “We were outplayed and I was outcoached,” she admitted. “But no one crumbled. They showed up the next day to practice, ready to get better.”

Over the course of the season, Grand Oaks traveled more than 1,200 miles and overcame late-season injuries, playoff pressure, and even some familiar bus problems en route to Garland. “It’s become a tradition at this point,” Rogers joked. “But we kept rolling, and we made it happen again.”

Recognizing the Full Team

The ceremony wasn’t just about players. Rogers took time to honor the coaching staff—including Varsity Assistant Coach Jason Clair, Freshman Orange Coach Shaundrea Anderson, and Freshman Blue Coach Madison Hardgrave—as well as student managers, athletic trainers, and school administrators.

Special recognition was given to former principal James “Buddy” Bush, who returned to Grand Oaks for the ceremony after accepting the principal role at Lake Travis High School. “From ice plunges to gameday videos, he’s been a constant supporter,” Rogers said.

Also honored were Alexis Kelly and Veronica Johnson for their work as team managers, and Doc Mots and student trainers Janet Warren and Columie Adams for traveling across the state to keep the team physically ready for their playoff push

Countdown to a Champion Moment

The climax of the evening came when Coach Rogers handed out each ring box. With the team assembled onstage, lights dimmed as she led a countdown: “Three, two, one…” Boxes flipped open, and the auditorium filled with gasps, cheers, and cell phone flashes. The players posed, holding up their rings, nails painted and pride on full display

After the official ceremony, families and players gathered for photos, cupcakes, and memories. For Rogers, the night marked a powerful conclusion to a chapter filled with unforgettable moments, from playoff superstition breakfasts to a player fighting through an allergic reaction during the championship game.

Looking Ahead

While the evening focused on the past, eyes are already looking toward the 2025 season. “We welcome the target,” Rogers said. “We want to win a third. That’s on everyone’s mind.”

And for players like Halle Thompson, the path forward is clear. “We’re going to keep working,” she said. “We want it all again.”

Byline – The Woodlands Student Center Staff