BY BRIAN GOSSET
X – @Gosset41
In a new realignment year and an experienced squad, the 2024 volleyball season was promising for the Boswell Pioneers. The potential was there for a deep playoff run for a team that has been among the tops in DFW for the past decade.
But head coach Rafael Lopez saw the writing on the wall.
The Eagle Mountain Saginaw school district opened up a new high school – the Eagle Mountain Knights. 2024 was its first school year – meaning no matter what, Boswell was going to lose a significant amount of students to EMHS.
For the volleyball team – they might have taken the biggest hit.
Only two starters back and four seniors overall from a 2023 team that won 25 games and went 13-1 for a district championship. Among the players that moved to Eagle Mountain – two high end D1 commits in Keoni Williams (Nebraska commit) and Brooke Lacewell (A&M) – both ranked in the country for the 2026 class. Also Rylinn Roberts (131 sets), Talyn Bradbury (101 sets) and Zoe Hawthorne (79 sets), who all have made an impact for the Knights this season.
Among the Boswell seniors included Camille Middleton (Prairie View A&M commit) and Alena Lopez (Weatherford College). Middleton played on varsity for four years and had 500+ kills and 500+ digs this season. Lopez played three years and posted over 725 digs.
But Lopez and his players didn’t crumble.
“Two starters back, four seniors total and everyone else didn’t play varsity,” Lopez said. “But from the start the girls bought into the program, into a culture and came to work.”
A tough non-district schedule set them up for success in 3-6A.
They played in Pearland and Northwest during the tournament season. Lopez also decided to schedule just two tourneys rather than three – hoping the rest will get them ready in district. By the end of it, the Pioneers won nine games in district, finished runner up and even played for a co district championship on the final night of the regular season.
“The progress my JV players did stepping up for the varsity has been amazing,” Lopez said. “Sometimes you’re better coaching years aren’t the ones you go far. This was one of the better years where the kids were involved and just got better. The chemistry and environment they have created has been amazing.”
However, the journey ended on Monday night – a 3-0 loss to Southlake Carroll in the first round of the playoffs.
Lopez ends a 12 year run with Boswell and eight as the man in charge.
Boswell won 253 games under his watch, over 100 in district, claimed four district championships and reached the regional tournament twice (also once as an assistant). His final year as an assistant in 2016, he helped the Pioneers to their first regionals in 25 years.
“Bittersweet. 12 amazing years and I’m very proud of what we’ve done here. A lot of amazing years and amazing athletes,” Lopez said. “Thankful to EMSISD for the opportunity because I’ve truly grown so much. I feel so blessed but ready for the next chapter of my life.”
