Lakewood Ranch High School's volleyball program opens its 2026 campaign Tuesday, Aug. 11, when the varsity squad travels to Venice to face Seacrest County Day at 4:30 p.m.
Head coach Jessica Leupold's group enters the season carrying momentum from a 19-9 finish in 2025 that included a perfect 6-0 run through FHSAA Class 6A-District 11 and a trip to the Region 3 quarterfinals. The Mustangs held their first varsity practice July 29.
Leading the returning core is senior middle blocker Avarie Tholl, who recorded 51 blocks last season in her first year on varsity. In an Aug. 3 interview with Your Observer, Tholl laid out her goals for the fall: "I would like to keep building chemistry with these girls. I've played with a few of them, but some of them are new. And then, obviously, I would like to win districts again."
Tholl's block total trailed only then-sophomore setter/middle blocker Adalynn Lund on the 2025 roster. She plays club volleyball for WAVE in the offseason and described her junior campaign as a "breakthrough" that put her on the map as a hitter and shot-blocker.
The program fields three teams this fall.
Dallas Adam coaches the JV squad, which opens Aug. 18. The freshman team also begins play that day. The varsity schedule spans 18 matches and two tournaments across a slate that runs through Oct. 8.
Varsity schedule highlights
- Aug. 21-22 — SSAC tournament at Winter Haven
- Sept. 18-19 — FL Gem Tourney at Wiregrass
Rival Braden River appears twice: Sept. 3 on the road and Sept. 29 at home.
The first home match is Tuesday, Aug. 25, against BCS at 7 p.m., followed by Parrish on Thursday, Aug. 27, at 7 p.m. The regular season closes Oct. 8 at BCS.
The full schedule, published Monday, Aug. 10, by the school's student news outlet Mustangs Ahead, lists start times for all three levels.
Up next after Tuesday's opener: the Mustangs stay in Venice to face Berkeley Prep on Thursday, Aug. 13, at 4:30 p.m.
