Three years ago, Killeen High volleyball head coach Johnetta Preston was searching for the best way to get her team in front of high-quality competition early in the season.
She thought, “Why not host a tournament?”
Fair question.
The answer turned out to be the Cen-Tex Queens of the Court, an annual tournament that’s grown from 12 to 17 teams and this year includes all five Killeen ISD squads for the first time.
The expanded event takes place Thursday through Saturday this week, with Killeen High and Chaparral serving as host sites all three days, and Harker Heights joining as a host Saturday.
“We have great teams in this area, great competition, so I think this is an ideal spot for people to come and play,” Preston said.
And an ideal opportunity for fans to check out plenty of action.
Participating alongside the five KISD schools for this year’s tournament are Belton, Brentwood Christian, Judson Wagner, Academy, Midlothian Heritage, Lockhart, Jarrell, Bartlett, Taylor, Elgin, Florence and Central Texas Christian.
Tickets for Day 1 are on sale through HomeTown Ticketing. Click here to purchase.
The Thursday schedule for KISD’s squads is:
At Killeen High
· Harker Heights: vs. Wagner, 8 a.m.; vs. Brentwood Christian, 10 a.m.; vs. Belton, 1 p.m.
· Shoemaker: vs. Heritage, 2 p.m.; vs. Academy, 3 p.m.; vs. Killeen, 5 p.m.
· Killeen: vs. Shoemaker, 5 p.m.; vs. Lockhart, 7 p.m.
At Chaparral
· Ellison: vs. Bartlett, 8 a.m.; vs. Taylor, 10 a.m.; vs. Jarrell, 1 p.m.
· Chaparral: vs. Florence, 2 p.m.; vs. CTCS, 4 p.m.; vs. Elgin, 7 p.m.
“I’m just really looking forward to the competitive volleyball –– just getting out on the court, seeing all the different schools that are here and watching the girls go out there and play,” Preston said.
Preston added that she and the other four head coaches are hoping to expand the tournament in the future, with sights set on about 30 teams.