WC among national VB favorites

If you need something done quickly with great success, see Weatherford College volleyball coach Kailee May. Since the program first hit the court in 2022, they have established themselves as one of the nation’s elite programs in the NJCAA.

Their record in that span is a whopping 120-26 overall, including 58-3 in the Northern Texas Junior College Conference — in which they have a 39-match winning streak — and 56-3 at home. They’ve never finished lower than first in the conference as they seek a fifth straight league title.

And when it comes to talk of a national championship, the Coyotes are always among the teams mentioned. They are coming off a 34-4 season in which they finished fourth at the NJCAA Championships, preceded by 32-8 and ninth in 2024 and 33-6 and eighth in 2023.

“I think yes, we have definitely established ourselves. We are consistently in the conversation and we work hard on maintaining a really specific culture that I think will keep us in the conversation for a long time to come,” May said.

And, yes, with nine returning players making up almost half of the team — along with another strong recruiting class — such talk is happening again.

“We haven’t had the coaches poll, but I imagine we will be at the top considering the group we are returning. I also think we will be represented well in the first national poll,” May said.

Leading the returning sophomores is All-American outside hitter Beline Thibaut (303 kills, 54 blocks, 363 defensive digs, 48 aces served, and 630 serves received). Outside hitter Mirabel Onyegu (239 kills, 53 blocks, 140 digs, 238 receptions) was named first-team all-conference, while defensive specialist/libero Alena Lopez (138 digs, 45 aces, 136 receptions) and setter Ally McCabe (533 assists, 202 digs, 42 aces) were picked for the second team.

May noted the incoming class is a solid mix of skill and size.

“We were lucky to have a few new athletes enroll at WC in January including three international students and a D1 transfer from Central Connecticut State — Lesly Camacho-Vega,” she said. “We also just had a late addition join the roster, Gabby Marshall. She was committed to the University of Idaho and all moved in, but due to some unforeseen circumstances, she ended up committing to Weatherford the day before the team moved in.”

May said she takes great pride in the Coyotes being the one team on the conference schedule everyone would love to best — though it has rarely happened.

“I think the conference is moving in a positive direction. All the coaches are competitive and I think we will definitely have a target on our back, but I  wouldn’t have it any other way,” she said. “I welcome the challenge of being the team to beat and we will talk about it a lot in the gym.

“It is extremely hard to stay at the top, but it’s part of my job to make sure the team knows what it takes to stay there.”

As for the quest for a fourth straight berth at nationals on the heels of their best season yet, the coach noted, “The program standard at this point is to create a culture where the team knows the goal is to win championships. They are all working from day one to not only make it to nationals, but to win the whole thing.”

And if you are planning on defeating the Coyotes, don’t expect to come into Betty Jo Graber Athletic Center and do it. Two of the Coyotes’ three home losses came in their inaugural season.

“These numbers are pretty special. I think our teams have always taken pride in being part of Weatherford College volleyball,” May said. “With the very first recruiting class I talked about building a legacy, and we have continued that conversation over the last four seasons. 

“This year will be no different. They love playing at home for our fans and our community. That record is really a reflection of the support we have in our home gym. We have a great atmosphere that makes it really easy to perform our best.”

As is always the case, May and her Coyotes aren’t backing down from any other powerhouses this season. After all, as the old saying goes, to be the best you must beat the best.

The 2026 schedule includes showdowns with other perennial powerhouses such as New Mexico Military Institute, Odessa, Salt Lake Community College, and Trinity Valley Community College, all away from — including twice at TVCC.

“We are excited to play a competitive schedule that will help prepare us for November,” May said. “I am already really impressed with how well this team works together and their willingness to compete and challenge each other. I’m excited to see how far that takes us this season.”