Lady Tigers season ends against Madisonville again

Dylan Busby dylan@silsbee-bee.com The Silsbee Bee SILSBEE — Silsbee’s volleyball season came to a disappointing end in the opening round of the UIL state playoffs as the Lady Tigers fell to Madisonville 3-1 at Porter High School, marking the third consecutive season Madisonville has eliminated Silsbee in the first round. Despite the familiar postseason heartbreak, the Lady Tigers wrapped up a successful 2026 campaign under first-year head coach Hannah Jones, finishing with a 17-11 overall record and an 8-4 district mark. Silsbee entered the postseason as the third-place representative from its district after navigating a competitive district schedule and securing another playoff appearance. The Lady Tigers battled Madisonville throughout the four-set contest but ultimately could not overcome an opponent that has become a frustrating postseason obstacle for the program. For the third straight year, Madisonville stood between Silsbee and a trip to the second round, extending a postseason rivalry that has repeatedly ended in disappointment for the Lady Tigers. However, the loss does little to diminish what Silsbee accomplished during Jones’ first season leading the program. Taking over as head coach, Jones guided the Lady Tigers through a successful regular season that included 17 victories and a third-place district finish. Silsbee demonstrated its ability to compete against quality opponents throughout the year, earning eight district victories while dropping just four conference matches. The Lady Tigers also showed resilience during the season, overcoming challenges and maintaining their position among the district’s top teams. While the program had hoped to break through against Madisonville and advance deeper into the postseason, the first-round defeat provides additional motivation heading into the offseason. With Jones having completed her first year at the helm, Silsbee will look to build on the foundation established during the 2026 campaign. The Lady Tigers will now turn their attention toward developing returning players and preparing for another competitive district schedule next fall. Although the season ended earlier than Silsbee had hoped, a winning record, third-place district finish and another playoff appearance made Jones’ inaugural campaign a promising beginning for the Lady Tigers’ volleyball program.