SerpApi.Org
Four years ago, Kaitlyn Cornelius and the West Plains Lady Wolves were unknown around the volleyball sectors of the Texas Panhandle and the state of Texas.
Most people knew of Cornelius from her state championship playing days at Bushland, and several of her key letterwinners on the 2022 Lady Wolves team that transferred over from Randall.
But, now that Cornelius enters her fifth season as the Lady Wolves head volleyball coach, West Plains has become the ‘talk of the Texas Panhandle’ in terms of powerhouse programs.
With seven returning letterwinners from a 2025 team that reached the Class 4A Division I Regional Championship and finished 32-12, West Plains is ready to go one step forward with a berth in the State Tournament.
“We have big plans for this season, and the outlook is so positive,” Cornelius said. “We have been working with purpose and intention this off-season to protect the foundation we have built these past four years, while also pushing the program to new heights.”
West Plains’ motto, according to Cornelius, is “Protect.”
“Our seniors came up with this when our season ended last year. To us, this means that we want to protect the legacy that has already been built, understand the work it took to get where we are, and try to make every day better than the last,” Cornelius said.
“We want to protect what it means to be a part of West Plains volleyball, while elevating our game to the highest level.”
In order to take advantage of reaching the highest pinnacle … making the 4A State Volleyball Tournament … Cornelius and the Lady Wolves believe in ‘hard work pays off in October.’
“This off-season, we have really been focusing on being tough… both physically and mentally,” Cornelius said. “We want to be the team that comes out on top in tough moments. This group has done a great job of adapting to a new level of off-season training and I am ready to see the fruits of their labor.
“We have a good core group of seniors who have truly helped in holding the standard strong, as well as, some up and coming players who bring new talent and a fun competitive edge.”
In 2025, West Plains was blessed with a pair of NCAA Division I and II stalwarts in the middle in graduating seniors Aaniyah Kitchen (McNesse State) and Kynzie Ward (Dallas Baptist University) that elevated the program to new heights over their four-year careers.
Kitchen and Ward, according to Cornelius, “will definitely be missed.”
Statisically, Ward led West Plains with 423 total kills in 131 sets played and 1,080 attempts. She hit for a .245 attack percentage from her right-side position. Ward also recorded 69 total blocks.
Kitchen also was a force at the net with 404 total kills in 122 sets played and 846 attempts. She hit for a .358 attack percentage from her middle blocker position. Kitchen also led West Plains with 117 total blocks.
“They (Ward and Kitchen) have made such a lasting impact on our program,” Cornelius said. “We definitely have some big shoes to fill, but we have some players that are more than ready to rise to the challenge.
“One of the best things about having these two in our program for so long, is that our younger players have had the opportunity to train next to them. They learned from two of the best players, so I have no doubt they will continue the legacy that they started.”
Teagan Hudson is a returning starter that Cornelius has high expectations for in 2026.
“Offensively, be on the lookout for Teagan Hudson. She played right side last year, and really found her groove and confidence. She has so much raw athleticism and speed, and will definitely play a big role in our offense,” Cornelius said.
“Teagan is a weapon all the way across the net. Not only that, she is a huge leader for our team. Her words, actions and work ethic always align with each other. She is such a positive impact player in our program.”
At the setter position, Cornelius has seen strong progression from junior Sophie Williams, another returner to the varsity.
“Sophie played behind CeCe and Bella last season. We also have been working with three more of our underclassmen. All of them bring something different to the table, but we have a lot of depth in the setting department which I am really excited for,” Cornelius said.
“They are a talented and competitive group (of setters) that gives us a lot of offensive and defensive options to work with.”
Defensively, it starts with returning starting libero Idaly Sotelo, who was the 2025 District 4-4A Most Valuable Player and led West Plains in digs with 774.
“We take pride in the way we train our defense. We want to play scrappy yet disciplined defense,” Cornelius said. “Idaly has the killer instinct and discipline it takes to be a great Libero. She controls the traffic on the back row, and is an effective leader on the court.”
With so many returners back for West Plains, Cornelius remains optimistic about the depth coming in from the JV and Freshmen teams.
“I take a lot of pride in how competitive all three of our teams are each season,” Cornelius said. “We have so much depth within our program and have the best coaches who train these kids at a high level so they are ready for varsity when their time comes. We have a fun group coming up. They are competitive, gritty and honestly just fun kids. I’m ready to start putting the pieces together.”
Expectations early on, according to Cornelius, “are always for learning and growing.”
“We need to be willing to be in uncomfortable situations early, so we can pinpoint what works well for us and what doesn’t,” Cornelius added. “It’s also a great time to bond and come together as a team. With so many new faces, it is so important to build trust and team chemistry in those early days.”
Heading into that fifth season as head coach, Cornelius noted that she’s proud of the progress and growth that her program has made in the first four years.
“Not just in the success, but in the culture and what it means to be a part of the Wolfpack at its core,” Cornelius said. “These kids and our staff have poured so much into it to make it what it is today. With this being said, I still feel like we have only scratched the surface. We know that we can compete with the best and are willing to go into battle day in and day out to prove it.”
Cornelius believes her non-district schedule will prepare her Lady Wolves for District 4-4A, which she says is “one of the toughest in the state.”
“I have no doubt that this year will be the same,” Cornelius said. “You have to show up every day ready to compete and respect what’s on the other side of the court, because everyone is a threat. Doing our homework and training with intention will be key.
“The fun part about our district is that everyone stays hungry. You won’t find complacency in any gym in District 4-4A.”
