It's been a tremendous start to the 2026 season for the Lincoln volleyball team, as the Bulldogs started hot and have continued their strong play.

No. 3 Lincoln (12-6) has turned heads in the volleyball community with its start, which has included a strong performance in the Coweta Invitational and the Bulldog Showdown.

The Bulldogs have played 10 of their 18 games against ranked opponents in the early part of the season.

Lincoln won the first five matchups of the season without losing a set, beating Catoosa (3-0), Regent Prep (3-0), Tahlequah (2-0), Rejoice Christian (2-0) and Glenpool (2-0).

Lincoln finally fell to No. 2 (5A) Claremore in the Coweta Invitational in two sets but also picked up a 2-0 win over the tournament host and a 2-1 win over No. 11 (5A) Sapulpa in the event.

"The Coweta tournament ended in a loss to a very well-coached Claremore team, but our heads were held high because we saw the chemistry that our team was developing, and that our limits are far from being reached to peak by postseason" said Rader.

After a 3-0 win over Coweta early in the week, Lincoln moved into hosting its annual Bulldog Showdown the following week, as it was again a stacked field in 2026.

The Bulldogs fell to No. 2 (4A) Oklahoma Christian School 2-0 to begin the tournament and No. 1 (5A) Bishop McGuinness on the opening day.

But Lincoln rebounded with a win over Noah (2-0), Bartlesville (2-0) and No. 8 (4A) Metro Christian (2-0).

Lincoln fell to No. 1 (3A) Cascia Hall in the final day of the Bulldog Showdown.

"The Bulldog Showdown tournament was a testament to how similarly skilled the competition was," said Rader.

"Metro beat Oklahoma Christian, OCS beat Cascia Hall, Cascia beat us and we beat Metro Christian. Bishop McGuinness ended up getting third after beating us 15-13 in a 3rd set, giving us in 4th and allowing Metro to take 5th."

Rader spoke about how the always challenging field gives her group a look at some of the best competition in the area and around the state.

"Cascia Hall was the only other 3A team in our tournament, who also hosted a very competitive tournament the weekend before, so the rankings now show many of us in those top slots," Rader said.

But in the bigger picture, Rader spoke about how she has seen her team improve and come together throughout the early part of the season, as the longtime coach believes Lincoln has a special unit in 2026.

"But ultimately what has me most excited is the positive energy flowing throughout," she said. 

"Every senior is showing up with their own 'superpower.' They've paired up to host their 'families' — players split up into groups all the way down to 7th grade — and are leading devotionals on Tuesday mornings to bring a cohesion to the program from top to bottom."

The head coach even had a moment where time slowed down in the Cascia Hall match during the Bulldog Showdown where she realized just how special her group might be.

"I had a moment during the Cascia Hall match where I looked down my bench with all my girls and the coaching the staff and my heart just swelled with joy and love," she said. 

"Like an out-of-body experience to look at the their faces of pure investment in their teammates and their success as the rally was continuing on the court. It's definitely who I want to go into battle with."

Lincoln picked up its biggest win of the season last Friday, beating OCS 3-1 at home.

The Bullodgs lost to Metro and Cascia this week, as the tough schedule continues.

Lincoln will be at No. 5 (5A) Bishop Kelley next week before heading to the Catoosa tournament next weekend.

Kinsley Gilstrap leads the Bulldogs with 29 aces. She also has 90 kills and 97 digs.

Harlow Brown has a team high 114 kills, along with 98 digs and 27 aces. Niya Willoby has 26 aces on the season, as well as 77 kills, 14 assists and 63 digs.

Aubrey Feeley has 21 aces, 41 kills, a team-high 289 assists and 77 digs.

Katelyn Brett has a team-high 119 digs to go along with 22 assists and 18 aces.