Taylor ISD has hired Sarah Neal as its new Girls Athletic Coordinator and Head Volleyball Coach, replacing Rylee Davis.
Neal, a Bastrop native and graduate of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, joins the Ducks after coaching stops in Belton, Gonzales and most recently Chaparral High School in Killeen.
Neal helped establish Chaparral’s volleyball program when the school opened and guided the Bobcats to four consecutive playoff appearances during her four seasons at the school. The program’s most successful season came in 2024 when Chaparral captured an undefeated district championship and made a deep playoff run. Neal was named District 16-5A Coach of the Year following the season.
In addition to volleyball, Neal has coached basketball, soccer, powerlifting and track and field throughout her career.
Neal will take over leadership of Taylor ISD’s girls athletic programs and volleyball team beginning with the 2026-27 school year. She will look to help turn around a Ducks volleyball program that has finished 2-10 in district play in each of the past two seasons and has missed the playoffs during that stretch.
The turnaround will not come without challenges, however, as Taylor must replace key contributors Makenna Watson and Peyton Wamble, who graduated following the 2025 season. The Lady Ducks will return senior Tianna Candee, who is expected to play a major role as the program looks to take a step forward under Neal’s leadership.
