Since her first stay as softball coach in Early, which was prior to the Lady Horns’ volleyball program coming into existence, Vaughn has coached at Bangs, Somerset, Brady and Ballinger.
“It feels good to be back,” Vaughn said. “My husband and I have always called this home because we both graduated from Howard Payne. This has been our central location.”
The Lady Horns are coming off a 7-16 campaign, including a 2-12 district mark, which followed back-to-back postseason appearances in 2018 and 2019.
Early’s regular season begins at 4 p.m. Tuesday with a trip to Veribest. Regarding the Lady Horns’ progress through the first week of practice, Vaughn said, “They’ve bought in from day one, they’ve listened, they’ve taken everything in. The intensity level at practice is good. They’ve been working hard, I’m proud of the girls. I have high hopes for them and I think they’re believing in those high hopes. They’re excited, they’re ready.”
The roster is led by Taylor Summers, Carrigan Norris and Bethany Tomlinson who, “can play all the way around, hit, set, play defense,” according to Vaughn.
Among the greatest strengths for the Lady Horns, “We have experience, we have four seniors that all contribute,” Vaughn said. “I also have young ones that contribute so that leadership from the seniors is great for our younger ones. It seems like they’re meshing well.”
Following the opener at Veribest the Lady Horns will then compete in the Veribest tournament next weekend as well as the Bronte tournament later in August. Other pre-district foes include Water Valley, Abilene Christian, San Angelo Cornerstone Christian, Lingleville, Zephyr, Hawley and Brady.
“It’s really hard to judge where we are this early, I just want to see continual improvement,” Vaughn said in regard to goals prior to district competition.
The 8-3A slate again features Brock, Peaster, Millsap and Eastland – playoff teams from a year ago – as well as rival Bangs along with Comanche and Dublin.
“It’s a good district and I think we’ll compete well,” Vaughn said, adding that to make a run at a playoff berth, “we need to stay healthy, we need to continue to work hard, and we need to attack. That’s our offense, we’re going to be attacking and I think that momentum will keep us going.”
EARLY LADY HORNS
VARSITY VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE
Aug. 10 at Veribest, 4 p.m.
Aug. 13-14 at Veribest tournament, TBA
Aug. 17 at Water Valley/Abilene Christian, TBA
Aug. 20 at San Angelo Cornerstone Christian, 5:30 p.m.
Aug. 24 Lingleville, 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 27-28 at Bronte tournament, TBA
Aug. 31 Zephyr, 6 p.m.
Sept. 4 Brady, 1 p.m.
Sept. 7 at Hawley/Abilene Christian, 5 p.m.
Sept. 11 at Comanche*, Noon
Sept. 14 at Brock*, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 Peaster*, Noon
Sept. 21 Bangs*, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 25 at Eastland*, Noon
Sept. 28 Millsap*, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 Dublin*, Noon
Oct. 5 Comanche*, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 Brock*, Noon
Oct. 12 at Peaster*, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 16 at Bangs*, Noon
Oct. 19 Eastland*, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 23 at Millsap*, Noon
Oct. 26 at Dublin, 6:30 p.m.
* District 8-3A Game