Grand Oaks makes history with boys, girls Doc Holliday water polo titles

Aug 22

2 min read

Girls defeat Cy Woods before the boys complete Grand Oaks’ first championship sweep at the Conroe ISD tournament.

Athletics | Water Polo

Girls: Grand Oaks 13, Cy Woods 8

Boys: Grand Oaks 13, Cy Woods 11 (shootout)

Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026

SHENANDOAH, Texas — Grand Oaks swept the girls and boys championships at the fifth annual Doc Holliday Shootout on Saturday, Aug. 22, earning the first Doc Holliday titles in school history for both teams at the Conroe ISD Natatorium.

The Grand Oaks girls defeated Cy Woods 13-8 in their championship game. The boys followed with a 13-11 victory over Cy Woods after the teams finished regulation tied at 9. Grand Oaks won the shootout 4-2.

Twelve schools competed in the varsity tournament from Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 20-22. Cy Woods finished second in both divisions. Tomball placed third in the girls division, and Oak Ridge took third in the boys division.

The Grand Oaks girls built an 8-2 halftime lead against Cy Woods. Cy Woods made a third-quarter push, but Grand Oaks kept the lead and closed out the 13-8 win.

Sophomore Meagan Graham, Grand Oaks’ starting set from last season, moved between set and flat as the Grizzlies adjusted to Cy Woods’ defense. Graham credited her club training and the team’s growth for her stronger start to the season.

“I feel like our whole team is more confident, and we all have a better bond,” Graham said. “I feel like we work better this year.”

Freshman goalkeeper Kiley Neil helped Grand Oaks protect its early advantage in her first season playing water polo. Neil, a 5-foot-9 swimmer, said friends encouraged her to try the sport. Her height led coaches and teammates to consider her for goalkeeper, and she soon found that the position fit her instincts.

Neil said she focuses on keeping her hands up and watching the shoulders and arms of opposing shooters. She has also worked with teammates to improve her outlet passing.

“She has absolutely just stunned everyone this year,” Grand Oaks head swim and water polo coach Nicholas Veedell said. “She is going to be the goalie for the next four years.”

The boys championship required a different finish. Grand Oaks and Cy Woods were tied at 9 after regulation, sending the game to a shootout. Veedell selected team leaders, seniors and the team’s strongest shooters, including starting goalkeeper Logan Graham, for the deciding round.

Grand Oaks converted four shootout attempts while Cy Woods converted two. Veedell said the Grizzlies’ composure and communication were central to the win.

“It came down to who was more resilient, and Grand Oaks came out on top,” Veedell said.

Senior Evan Joncyk said Grand Oaks worked to control the pace against a fast Cy Woods team. Sophomore Will Carruth recognized that defenders were leaving him space late in the game and used the opening to score.

“I capitalized on it and scored,” Carruth said.

Veedell said the tournament showed both teams how they responded under pressure before district play. His message to the boys during the deciding stretch remained consistent: “Stay humble, stay poised, stay calm.”