To build a foundation for the future of her program — which plays on a hardwood court — Trinity Christian volleyball coach Dora Sigala is turning to a pair of freshmen who found success in the sand this summer.
Presley Phillips and Olivia Sigala teamed up to win the 18-Under age group at the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools Sand Volleyball State Tournament in Fort Worth in June. Then, individually, Olivia participated in a pair of beach volleyball national tournaments in Hermosa, California, in July.
Oh, and Presley’s club team, Stack Society in Fort Worth, competed in a summer national tournament in indoor volleyball.
Sigala is excited to see how this experience pays off as the two go through high school together.
“Presley and Olivia serve as the foundational cornerstones for the future of our program. Starting on varsity as freshmen, they bring a high level of talent, competitiveness, and composure that immediately elevates our standard of play,” the coach said. “Their court presence and drive inspire their teammates to raise their own expectations, setting a culture of excellence and accountability that will propel our program forward over the next four years.
“Competing and winning at the TAPPS Sand State Championship, along with facing elite national competition, has given them invaluable big-stage experience. Playing against older, high-caliber athletes — including Division I commits — has eliminated fear and built tremendous mental toughness,” Sigala said. “They understand what it takes to perform under pressure, and they bring that battle-tested confidence and fast-paced club experience directly onto our varsity court every single day.”
While only freshmen, the TCA duo found themselves facing much more experienced upper-classman players on the other side of the net at the Game On facility in Fort Worth.
“The team we played in the championship were juniors, so it felt good beating them because they were older than us,” Presley said.
In pool play they faced players in their own age group. However, in bracket play they faced some teams with players as old as age 18.
“It was fantastic and amazing winning. There was a lot of great competition,” Olivia said. “Overall, we just took care of business and played our game. Presley and I played great together and we worked hard for this and we earned it.
“I am proud of us because we are only 14 years old and going into our freshman year,” she said.
Not only are they great at playing volleyball together, Presley and Olivia are great friends. It began when they each made the A-team in middle school, the only seventh-graders to do.
“I feel like Olivia and I bonded through playing volleyball. I feel like it brought us together and we have been friends ever since,” Presley said.
Olivia said they match the same energy in life. She sees Presley as she would her sister.
“I love her so much. I think we have a really good connection,” Olivia said. “We understand each other, and in beach volleyball pairs that have a connection is what will bring you success. We love to have fun when we play and we laugh a lot but we lock in when we need to.”
Olivia competed in California with her club team 692 from Lewisville. They participated in both the Beach Volleyball Clubs of America and Amateur Athletic Union National Championships.
“Overall, the competition is tough and very competitive. The best of the best in the nation is represented and only the teams who get a bid are able to compete,” Olivia said.
Olivia played in the 14-Under Open division in both national events, but with different partners for each event.
“It was truly an honor and privilege to play at nationals representing North Texas and my hometown Fort Worth and my school TCA,” she said. “I had to keep telling myself that I was playing with the best of the best and I have earned this spot and that I am here for a reason.”
In the BVCA tournament, her team placed ninth in the Gold Bracket, and in the AAU event her team finished third in the Gold Bracket.
Presley and Stack Society traveled to Indianapolis, where she and her squad also faced off against the best the nation has to offer in the USA Volleyball Junior National Championship. Her team played in the 14U division.
“My 14’s season was very chaotic, so getting our bid in the second highest division was very rewarding,” she said. “Competing at nationals was very difficult because the best teams from across the country were there. I’m glad I got the opportunity to go.”
The two have also played together on the national level in sand volleyball. In 2025 they competed in the Association of Volleyball Professionals East Coast Championships in Clearwater Beach, Florida.
Though only freshmen, they are already developing into leaders in her program, Sigala said.
“What stands out most about Presley and Olivia is their exceptional work ethic and lead-by-example mindset,” she said. “Even as freshmen, they demonstrate a maturity, relentless work rate, and passion for the game that infects the entire team.
“Their strong bond and mutual trust on the court translate into outstanding team chemistry, making them true leaders who embody the bright future of TCA volleyball.”
Not only are they excited about moving TCA volleyball into a successful future, they had a blast this summer and are already looking forward to repeat performances in 2027.
“Yes, my (club) team will be even better than last year, so we will qualify for nationals and I do plan on playing in the TAPPS tournament again,” Presley said.
“Yes I plan on playing at nationals once again. My national beach team has already begun training and we will be competing next month in the first round of open competition,” Olivia said. “This time I will be playing in the 16U division.”
With TCA, they plan on teaming up again in the TAPPS sand championships and defend their title.
“Only this time we should be better and stronger,” Oliva said.
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