Volleyball: Grand Oaks Sweeps College Park in District 13-6A Volleyball Showdown

Grizzlies extend district lead, Cavaliers regroup after tough home loss

Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025 – 8:45 p.m.

The Woodlands, Texas – Grand Oaks High School continued its strong district start with a straight-set victory over College Park on Tuesday, winning 25–22, 25–18, 25–18 in a match that drew wide attention across UIL District 13-6A.

The two-time defending state champion Grizzlies improved to 3–0 in district play, while College Park dropped to 1–2. The game was billed as one of the marquee matchups of the week, pitting a program with a history of titles against a Cavaliers team with a deep foundation.

College Park head coach Candice Gibson, who has led the Cavaliers since founding the program in 2005, said her team battled hard but pointed to areas for improvement. “We’ve been doing better in serve receive, but tonight we struggled with execution,” Gibson said, adding that district competition is “mentally and physically draining” but necessary to prepare for playoff runs.

Grand Oaks head coach Morgan Rogers, who started the Grizzlies’ program in 2018 and guided them to state titles in 2023 and 2024, credited College Park’s defense and emphasized the importance of spreading offensive opportunities. “We rely heavily on Hallie, but we want to make sure other players feel involved and confident, especially in tight moments,” Rogers said.

At the center of the Grizzlies’ attack is Halle Thompson, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter considered one of the top high school players in the country. Thompson has represented Team USA in international competition and brings that experience back to her high school program. “In Texas, good players are spread out, but at the international level the speed and consistency are so much higher,” she said, describing the difference between high school and international volleyball.

Thompson, who has a twin brother named Cullen and spent more than seven years as a competitive cheerleader before focusing full-time on volleyball, also stressed the importance of team roles. “It’s not just me, it’s my team. I can’t do it alone. Everybody has a role,” she said. She explained that her attacking instincts come from years of repetition: “After years of playing, it just happens in the air. It’s like muscle memory—almost a Spidey sense of feeling the court and the situation.”

Both teams return to district play on Friday, Sept. 5. Grand Oaks will host New Caney, while College Park will travel to face Willis.

By The Woodlands Student Center Staff