Katelyn Gill Named Prestonwood Volleyball Head Coach

Gill succeeds Ryan Mitchell, who retired after leading Prestonwood to its fourth state volleyball title.

Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Volleyball

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a volleyball player in red and white mid-spike above a net, with bold brushwork and team colors. — Prestonwood Christian Academy named assistant coach Katelyn Gill head volleyball coach after the Panthers won their fourth state title under retiring coach Ryan Mitchell. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Prestonwood Christian Academy has named Katelyn Gill its head volleyball coach, succeeding Ryan Mitchell, who retired after the school won the TAPPS Class 6A state final 25-19, 25-21, 25-10 over San Antonio Antonian. Gill, who was an assistant coach at Prestonwood for the last two seasons, was promoted from that role.

Why it matters

The change marks a transition for one of the state's most decorated volleyball programs, which closed the season 42-4 and is ranked eighth nationally. Mitchell's retirement follows 11 state championships across his career, seven at Lovejoy and four at Prestonwood, leaving the program with an established coach from within.

Mitchell's 11 state titles across Lovejoy and Prestonwood form the benchmark Gill inherits, while her own Gunter tenure produced a 203-58 record and a 2022 state championship. The data does not yet show how her results will compare at Prestonwood.

The players

Prestonwood Christian Academy

A private Christian school in Plano, Texas, whose volleyball program has won multiple state titles and is among the nation's top-ranked teams.

Katelyn Gill

A volleyball coach who led Gunter to a state championship in 2022 and spent the last two seasons as an assistant at Prestonwood before taking over as head coach.

Ryan Mitchell

A longtime volleyball coach who won 11 state championships, seven at Lovejoy and four at Prestonwood, before retiring after the 2026 season.

The details

Gill was promoted from assistant coach after Prestonwood won its state final on Saturday, and Mitchell retired following that match. The Panthers beat San Antonio Antonian in straight sets, and the program finished the year ranked among the nation's top eight teams.

2020: Gunter reached its first state volleyball tournament under Gill.
2021: Gunter played in its first state championship match.
2022: Gunter won its first volleyball state championship.
Saturday: Prestonwood won the state final and Mitchell retired.

Season Trajectory

Prestonwood's four state titles under Mitchell set a high bar, and the internal promotion keeps continuity with the staff that produced the 42-4 season. The new coach's first season will show whether that momentum carries into the next national ranking cycle.

Players and families at Prestonwood will now work under a new head coach for the upcoming season, which affects roster planning and team tryouts. Fans following the program can expect the school's schedule and lineup decisions to come from Gill's staff starting with the next season.

The takeaway

A coaching change at a program with sustained winning often rests on continuity, so the promotion of an internal assistant offers the clearest signal of what comes next. Readers following the program should watch the first post-title season for any shifts in strategy or roster.