Newcastle finished 11-13 overall in 2025 and advanced to the third round of the Class 1A playoffs. It was the team's best season since 2010, when it also reached the third round. Returning players include seniors Cameron Mallory, who was named district setter of the year in 2025, Kenzie King, a second-team all-district selection, and Kinzee Forbus. Juniors Kinsey Hawkins and Allison Melton and sophomores Grayson Nunez, Greenleigh Moore and Kinzlee Sweat also return.
The Ladycats will compete in District 11-1A, which the report describes as one of the state's toughest small-school districts. Perrin-Whitt, a 30-match winner, and Garner both reached the second round of the playoffs last season. Graford qualified for bidistrict in Class 2A before dropping to a lower classification. Bryson was the only team in the district that did not reach the playoffs in 2025.
Chelsea Lewis is back as head coach. She led the program to its only state tournament appearance, in 2018.