For Lincoln senior Ethney Sheldon, the 2026 volleyball season represents more than just another year on the court.
It is a chance to lead a team she has grown up playing alongside and make one final push toward the state tournament.
The Leopards opened the season 6-1, marking the best start of Sheldon’s high school career. With a roster that includes her younger sister, Ivee Sheldon, who plays libero, Ethney has been especially proud of what Lincoln has accomplished together.
“What I am most looking forward to this year is our Lincoln volleyball team,” Sheldon said. “We started the season strong with a record of 6-1, which is the best start we’ve ever had during my high school career.”
For Sheldon, the foundation of the Leopards’ success goes back years. Many of the players have been teammates since recreational volleyball in elementary school, creating a bond that Sheldon believes has carried over to the high school level.
“These girls and I have played alongside each other since recreational volleyball in elementary school, and our true bond contributes to our success as a team,” Sheldon said.
That chemistry has helped Lincoln develop into a team that emphasizes playing for one another rather than individual accomplishments.
“Our coaches always remind us that a team must unite; a team never succeeds if everyone is only looking out for themselves,” Sheldon said. “We must work together to win and achieve our goals.”
The Leopards spent much of the summer preparing for the season, focusing on individual development while also finding ways to become stronger as a unit. Team practices and workouts challenged the players and helped them improve both physically and mentally.
Lincoln also attended a Kansas State volleyball camp, where the players worked on improving their volleyball IQ, becoming more scrappy and learning how individual skills can benefit the entire team.
As a senior, Sheldon is focused on continuing that growth while becoming a stronger leader. Rather than concentrating solely on her individual statistics, she wants to make decisions that benefit the Leopards as a whole.
“My goal is to be a leader for this team, and I work on that every day,” Sheldon said. “I continually reflect on my decisions, ensuring that the choices I make are in the best interest of the team.”
Sheldon contributed 15 aces, eight assists, 103 digs, more than 80 attacks and 53 serve receptions as a junior. This season, however, her biggest goal is helping Lincoln make a deep postseason run.
The Leopards have their sights set on reaching the state competition, but Sheldon knows the team cannot look too far ahead.
“Our team’s goal for this season is to reach the state competition,” Sheldon said. “I truly believe that this year we have the right combination of talent, skills and coaching to help us reach our destination.”
Sheldon hopes to help Lincoln navigate each step of the postseason, from regionals to sub-state and, ultimately, state.
“We need to take it one step at a time and focus on one game at a time,” Sheldon said. “It’s essential that we continue to train and grow as a team.”
To nominate someone for a story email [email protected]
