ROCKDALE – The Taylor Ducks varsity volleyball team opened the 2026 season with a 3-1 victory over Rockdale at Rockdale High School on Tuesday, Aug. 11.
Taylor controlled the first two sets, winning 25-16 and 25-11 to take an early 2-0 lead. The Tigers responded in the third set with a 25-20 victory to extend the match.
The fourth set came down to the wire, but the Lady Ducks finished strong, earning a 27-25 victory to secure the season-opening win.
The victory marked the first for first-year head coach Sarah Neal. Taylor also improved on last season’s opener against Rockdale, when the Lady Ducks swept the Tigers 3-0.
Taylor will look to build on its strong start this weekend at the Centex Queen of the Court tournament hosted by Killeen Chaparral. Neal said the tournament will give the Lady Ducks an early opportunity to compete against several Class 5A and 6A programs.
“We are going to go into the Killeen tournament this weekend where we face tough, high-level opponents, some 5A and 6A schools,” Neal said. “Putting them in positions that are going to be uncomfortable and being comfortable being uncomfortable, I think, is really going to pay off as we get closer to district.”
Killeen Chaparral, Ellison, Bartlett, Florence, Elgin, Bastrop and Central Texas Christian School are among the teams set to compete in the tournament as Taylor continues its early-season schedule.
