Burnet volleyball’s Denton plays well in all-star match

CAPTION: Journey Denton calmly passes the ball to the setter as the North get in position to end the rally. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

Burnet High School senior Journey Denton brought her best to Wimberley High School’s Lee Grisham Court for the first Hill Country Coaches Association All-Star volleyball match May 9.

Denton’s North team won in front of a packed house that included Burnet head coach Crystal Shipley and assistant coach Brent Kelley.

“That was a lot of fun to put the Burnet jersey back on for one last time,” the athlete said. “I always want to win, but I had a lot of fun making new friends and being able to play volleyball one last time before I go to college and get to play softball.”

She will head to Tarleton State University where she will play college softball.

Denton, who was moved to outside hitter for the Lady Dawgs for the first time in 2025, served out several points for her North squad and was thrilled to return to the libero position, she said.

The Lady Dawg’s commitment not to let the ball hit the floor was evident as she dived from side to side and forced the South to hit winners for points.

“I feel good,” she said. “There’s a lot of fun to being a libero one last time since I didn’t get to do that this year.”

She thanked Shipley for nominating her for the honor, and the coach noted one main reason why. Competing hasn’t been an issue for Denton, who wore various jerseys for the Lady Dawgs during her four years – volleyball, basketball, track and field and softball. Denton’s versatility and ability to adapt and play different positions where she was needed on the volleyball court and softball diamond speaks to her character and desire to succeed. It illustrated putting the team first, an attribute that is emphasized throughout the athletic department.

“Because of her versatility and all that,” Shipley said.

The other Lady Dawg who was nominated was Payton Smith, but she declined as she had a scheduling conflict, the coach said.

“I knew they would have to have the stats and awards to prove it,” she said. “And they did, so that’s why I chose those two.”

Shipley said she knew that Denton, who has played select softball across the country, wouldn’t be nervous competing in an all-star match where there weren’t many practices and where learning tendencies of new teammates must happen quickly.

“I think with her playing softball around the United States with people she doesn’t know, she thrived in this environment, and I knew that was another factor with her and Payton as they do well, no matter who they’re playing with, they’re going to compete,” she said. “And with Journey, it’s a personality. You can’t teach what she does. She leads because she wants to win. And she leads, because she loves to compete.”

Shipley got to enjoy the match as a fan, something that doesn’t happen often, and thought Denton’s North team would perform well.

“I knew that her team was going to end up dominating once they got going,” the coach said. “It’s fun. It’s fun to see great athletes play together, that camaraderie.”

CAPTION: Burnet High School assistant volleyball coach Brent Kelley (left) and head coach Crystal Shipley (right) with Hill Country Coaches Association volleyball all-star Journey Denton after Denton’s North team prevailed. Courtesy photo