Seven Lakes volleyball earned its first Texas Girls Coaches Association (TGCA) Class 6A top-25 ranking of the season, entering at No. 21 with a 21-10 record in the poll released Sept. 21.

The Spartans' arrival coincided with a departure. Tompkins, which was 19-5 and ranked No. 22 in the Sept. 15 poll, dropped out of the rankings entirely, according to the Katy Times.

Both Katy ISD programs started the season with high expectations. The TGCA preseason poll released July 8 placed Seven Lakes at No. 7 and Tompkins at No. 8 in Class 6A.

Tompkins climbed as high as No. 1 in the Aug. 18 poll before slipping to No. 2 on Aug. 24. The Falcons then tumbled to No. 24 by Sept. 1. They inched back up to No. 23 on Sept. 9 and No. 22 on Sept. 15, but dropped out of the poll entirely on Sept. 21.

Seven Lakes took the opposite path. The Spartans went unranked through the first seven weeks of the season before breaking into the top 25 on Sept. 21.

Lewisville Hebron (26-6) topped the Sept. 21 poll. Duncanville (29-4) and Allen (28-2) rounded out the top three. The only other Houston-area programs in the top 25 were Houston Memorial at No. 4 (28-3), Klein Oak at No. 12 (33-4), Tomball at No. 19 (23-5) and Cypress Ranch at No. 23 (24-7).

Katy ISD Athletics noted on X on Sept. 21 that the second half of district play was beginning, with the playoff picture still to be decided.

@KatyISDAthletics: "After last weeks matches we are about to turn to the second half of district play. There is still alot of great volleyball left to be played so make sure you get out and support these great teams."

Katy ISD Athletics posted on X on Sept. 28 that the playoff race in Districts 22-6A and 22-5A remained "extremely close" as teams entered the final stretch of the regular season.