Halstead enters the 2026 season with four players returning from a group that has already experienced championship success at the high school level and have competed in two state tournaments
According to Sports in Kansas, the Dragons are again a volleyball team to watch in 2026.
Head coach Diana Schutte enters her 12th season at Halstead and 23rd year in coaching with a 453-284 career record. The Dragons won the 3A state championship in 2024 and finished third at state in 2025.
“We have four girls who know what it takes to win a state championship, but a lot of new talent that they are going to have to show the ropes to quickly,” Schutte told Sports in Kansas.
Schutte will be assisted by Kayla Morris and Kelli Zehr as Halstead looks to blend its experienced returning group with a large amount of new talent.
Senior outside hitter Bailey Bernal leads the group after reaching 1,000 career kills as a junior and entering her senior season with 1,160.
Bernal was a first-team All-State selection as a sophomore and second-team All-State selection last season, along with earning unanimous first-team Central Kansas League honors.
Senior setter Jordy Schroeder also returns after narrowly missing 1,000 assists in a single season with 994 last year.
Schroeder is one of the most versatile athletes in 3A as she played opposite hitter her freshman year, middle hitter her sophomore year and was a setter as a junior.
Junior opposite hitter Annie Williams returns after moving from middle hitter, where she played as a freshman on the state championship team.
Williams recorded 229 kills as a sophomore and earned honorable mention CKL honors.
Senior libero Piper Schroeder is also back after returning from an ACL injury midway through her junior season and will provide valuable experience in the back row.
Schutte knows the returning players will have an important role in helping a talented but inexperienced group adjust quickly to the demands of Halstead’s schedule.
“Our schedule is tough, including 5A powerhouse Maize South,” Schutte said. “You never get a night to just breathe and get an easy win, so hoping the team is up to being tough and showing major grit and what it takes to compete each night.”
Halstead opens the 2026 season with a varsity/junior varsity triangular at Valley Center.
The Dragons play a triangular Sept. 8 at Kingman against the host Eagles and Pratt and varsity/JV/C team matches Sept. 10 against Pratt and Trinity Academy in Wichita.
