Photo from Garland ISD.
You've already seen the VYPE San Antonio preseason public school volleyball rankings, so it's time to learn about the dark horses. Check out the team breakdowns below, and look for more preseason coverage in the coming days!
Seguin Matadors (Reached 2018 UIL 5A Region IV quarterfinal)
Seguin went three rounds deep in the 2018 UIL 5A postseason and has the necessary returning talent to go deeper in 2019. The Matadors have eight experienced seniors on this year's roster, including setters Riley Brittain and Savannah Luensmann, outside hitters Leslie Muenchow and Kaitlyn Baker, defensive specialist/setter Amasti Canales, right side hitter Reese Jubela, defensive specialist Getzabeth Martinez and middle hitter Julianna Harrington.
Pleasanton Eagles (Reached 2018 UIL 4A Region IV quarterfinal)
Pleasanton recorded 33 wins and a UIL 4A Region IV quarterfinal finish in 2018, but has some work to do to match that in 2019. The Eagles lost 10 seniors to graduation and their only all-state nominee, so they need big seasons from current juniors Brianna Garcia and Jussiah Lopez, and returning senior Madeline Keylich. Garcia is a middle blocker and an opposite hitter, Lopez is a defensive specialist and Keylich is a middle blocker.
Hondo Owls (Reached 2018 UIL 4A bi-district round)
Hondo won 33 games in 2018 and advanced to the opening round of the UIL 4A postseason, so it'll be gunning for its third consecutive playoff trip in 2019. The Owls will have a younger roster this year, as evident by their three returning starters, but they'll be able to stay the course with setters Abby Neuman and Ally Lutz, and outside hitter Taylor Neuman.
Poth Pirates (Reached 2018 UIL 3A area around)
Poth won 35 games in 2018, but is motivated going into 2019 because it fell short of last year's third round of the UIL postseason for the second time in 15 years. The Pirates should bounce back because middle hitters/outside hitters Faith Canales and Morgan Pape are back for their senior year.
Jourdanton Squaws (Reached 2018 UIL 3A Region IV quarterfinal)
Jourdanton heated up late in the 2018 season to advance to the UIL 3A Region IV quarterfinal, so it plans to take the next step in 2019. The Squaws will lean on setter Katlyn Polasek and defensive specialist Kameryn Guzman because they're back for their senior year, but don't forget about junior middle blocker Sidney Morneau and sophomore outside hitter Gwyn Wells.
Hallettsville Lady Brahmas (Reached 2018 UIL 3A Region IV quarterfinal)
Hallettsville is coming off a trip to the UIL 3A Region IV quarterfinal and is expected to go a couple rounds deep again in 2019. That's because the Lady Brahmas have an all-state senior in Kenzi Lange.
D'Hanis Cowgirls (Reached 2018 UIL 1A state semifinal)
D'Hanis is coming off a season in which it advanced to the UIL 1A state semifinal, shared the 30-2A title with Brackett, and won 32 games, but has to rebuild in 2019 to match last year's success. The Cowgirls graduated all-state talents Chloe Cowan, Jewel Randolph, Cassandra Zerr and Danyelle Bernal, so finding their replacements will be the biggest key in making another deep playoff run.
Crystal City Lady Javelinas (Reached 2018 UIL 4A bi-district round)
Crystal City advanced to the opening round of the UIL 4A postseason in 2018 and is expected to add another year to its playoff streak in 2019. That's because the Javelinas have all-state player Gabriela Tapia back for her senior season.
McMullen County Cowgirls (Reached 2018 UIL 1A area round)
McMullen County found enough success in UIL 31-2A last season that it advanced to the area round of the UIL 1A postseason. Setters Brenda Beyer and Caroline McClaugherty, middle hitter Madison Sherrer and outside hitter Reagan Moon plan to clinch the Cowgirls' eighth consecutive playoff berth in 2019.
Runge Yellowjackets (Reached 2018 UIL 1A area round)
Runge maneuvered through a tough 28-2A district in 2018, but its ability to record an area round finish in the UIL 1A postseason gives it momentum going into the 2019 season. The Yellowjackets will contend for another playoff spot because first-team all-state player Alanna Ramirez is back for her junior year.
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