Reagan signs seven athletes to colleges on National Signing Day

Volleyball seniors Mackenzie Chastain-Hunter, center left, Lauren Garcia and Kennedy Crider pose for photographs with assistant coach Gloria Garcia, left, and head coach Rachel Torvik after their signing ceremony at Reagan High School in San Antonio on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026. Chastain-Hunter will attend Blinn College, Garcia will attend Louisiana Tech University and Crider will attend East Carolina University. (Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News) Three members of Reagan's volleyball team responsible for 129 victories in four seasons signed college scholarship agreements on Wednesday morning at the school's gym.Setter Lauren Garcia (Louisiana Tech), outside hitter Kennedy Crider (East Carolina) and setter Mackenzie Chastain-Hunter (Blinn) were among seven Rattlers who signed national letters of intent on the first day of national signing day.Others included soccer players Kate Bingham and Lilly Ludeke, who are both headed to Stephen F. Austin, in addition to swimmers Isabella Ott (Little Rock) and Sophia Williamson (Fordham).Garcia finished as one of the most decorated athletes in Reagan volleyball history. Garcia tallied 3,576 assists, 1,113 kills and 1,418 digs – impressive numbers considering she missed of last season with an injury.National Signing Day: See where area athletes are headed for college"This means everything to me because I'm basically solidifying everything I've worked so hard for over the years and it's very rewarding," Garcia said. "I'm just excited to have everyone that I love and care about with me. So, today is everything."Garcia's absence in 2025 pushed Chastain-Hunter into an accustomed role as setter. She quickly adjusted as the Rattlers managed to push forward and capture a district championship."That honestly felt good because it was my time to step up and run the court and be a leader," Chastain-Hunter said. "I gained a lot because of the people supporting me - my family, my friends, my teammates and Lauren Garcia."Chastain-Hunter finished with 625 assists in 2025 and had 1,565 for her career."Honestly, to be thrown into a situation you're not really used to, she did an amazing job stepping in and being a good teammate," Garcia said. "I'm very proud of her for how she stepped in when the team needed her."Chastain-Hunter's emergence as a reliable setter allowed Garcia to play all-around and become an attacking asset for the Rattlers, a role she loved."It definitely expanded my role on the team," Garcia said. "I could hit and be an offensive weapon along with setting. That took a load off me from running the offense by myself. I had the opportunity to hit because hitting is really fun." Kennedy Crider, center, smiles as she talks with family and friends after signing a letter of intent to play volleyball at East Carolina University during a signing day ceremony at Reagan High School in San Antonio on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026. (Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News) Crider had a unique perspective on both as the Rattlers' primary attacker over the last two years."I think being able to fill that position, you have to be mentally tough," said Crider, who had 1,557 career kills. "(Chastain-Hunter) was able to do that really well. Lauren played such a huge role on our team, and everyone leans on her. Kenzie being able to step into that role really helped."Crider has been club teammates with Garcia predating their time at Reagan, so seeing her close friend sign with her was special."It was pretty special to have that chemistry," Crider said. "A lot of times you play on a different team, there's always a different setter and big problem is trying to get that connection down. We were able to do some really great things, and I think we left our mark at Reagan."Bingham and Ludeke led the Rattlers back line that allowed seven goals in 25 matches last season.Bingham is also a two-sport star with Rattlers having earned all-district honors in basketball and soccer. She said playing basketball has been helpful on the soccer pitch."It's helped me see passes really quickly," Bingham said. "Basketball has helped me because it's fast-paced and it's helps me mentally."Ludeke will get to college earlier than Bingham because she is graduating in December and enrolling in college in January. She decided for early enrollment to adjust college life before the frenetic soccer season begins in the fall.Ludeke looks forward to becoming Bingham's teammate again in the fall."We had a really good season playing in the back together, so I'm excited to play defense with her again," Ludeke said.Williamson anchored the Rattlers to gold in the 400-yard freestyle relay during February's UIL state championships. She also earned bronze on the Rattlers' 200 relay. She also qualified for state in the 100 and 200 freestyles.Williamson had a large contingent of supporters there."My community and my family is everything," Williamson said. "I've been swimming since I was five years old, and a lot of these people I've known my entire life … All of them being here to support me and celebrate this with me means a lot."Ott qualified for state in the 500 freestyle. She's aimed to compete in college and she is happy she's reached that point. "I'm definitely making younger me proud right now," Ott said. "It just shows all these years, all these early mornings have paid off."SubscribeThere’s more to San Antonio with the Express-News. Subscribe today for just 25¢.This article originally published at Reagan signs seven athletes to colleges on National Signing Day.