The 2023-2024 VYPE Alief ISD Winter Magazine is here to view. Be sure to check out the newest edition with amazing photography, great stories and much more within the pages! This gives you a full look into the 2023-2024 VYPE Alief ISD Winter Magazine!
The featured standouts of the 2026–27 Dawson Eagles volleyball team.
Matt Powell (VYPE)
It was a historic season for the Dawson Eagles a year ago, as they advanced to the UIL 6A Division I State Finals and finished with an impressive 42-5 record. This year's squad will have a different look following the graduation of standout seniors Jenna Thedford (Texas A&M) and Avery Koonsen (Stephen F. Austin).
Longtime head coach Lauren Leth has also moved on to become a middle school principal. Enter the Taylor Frederick era. The former Dawson player and Manvel assistant takes over as head coach, tasked with building upon one of the state's premier volleyball programs.
Leading the way for the Eagles will be returning first-team all-district setter Alexa Koonsen, outside hitter Marley Ifems (second-team), libero Jenna Hussein (honorable mention), and middle blockers Ariel McDonald and Aniyah Jackson.
"Reestablishing our culture is our top priority this season, as we return only four varsity players," Frederick said. "Confidence and a team mentality are paramount, while trusting the process and trusting each other will be key to our success."
Despite the turnover, Dawson has enough talent and leadership in place to remain one of the area's teams to watch in 2026.
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Kendall Brewer of McKinney North
McKinney North enters the 2026 season with lofty expectations, and head coach Kendall Brewer believes the Bulldogs have the leadership and experience to live up to them.
The driving force behind this year's team is a senior class that has spent years building toward this moment. Their leadership has become the defining characteristic of the program and, according to Brewer, the biggest separator between McKinney North and its competition.
"We have a really strong senior class," Brewer said. "Their leadership is part of what makes us unique. We have high expectations going into the season."
For Brewer, culture isn't built with catchy phrases or motivational posters.
"It's not slogans on the walls or words on T-shirts," he said. "It's how you behave, rep in and rep out."
Offensively, continuity starts up front, where four of five starters return along the offensive line. That veteran group should provide stability as McKinney North breaks in new quarterback Campbell Seyb, who has impressed throughout the offseason.
"He's way ahead of schedule," Brewer said of his signal caller.
Seyb will have no shortage of weapons. Two All-District wide receivers return to stretch defenses, while running back John Richardson gives the Bulldogs a proven playmaker capable of carrying the load on the ground. With an experienced offensive line paving the way and a talented group of skill players surrounding their new quarterback, McKinney North expects to be one of the district's most balanced offenses.
"Offensively, we feel really good about who is coming back," Brewer said.
The defense is built around one of the area's premier defenders in Eli Harris, a three-year starter who enters the season as the preseason District Defensive MVP. Harris sets the tone with his physicality, leadership and experience, serving as the cornerstone of a unit that expects to be among the district's best.
"We're going to be physical, we're going to be big and we have great athletes in the back end," Brewer said.
With experienced leadership, a veteran offensive line, emerging talent at quarterback and a defense anchored by one of the district's top players, the expectations are high in Bulldog Country. Brewer wouldn't have it any other way.
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Cooper Phillips of Plano West
Plano West has established itself as one of the premier volleyball programs in North Texas, and expectations remain high after capturing the district championship and advancing to the third round of the UIL playoffs a season ago.
Head coach Cooper Phillips has built a culture that balances championship expectations with an environment where players genuinely enjoy competing. While the pressure to win is ever-present at Plano West, Phillips believes success comes from creating a team-first atmosphere where athletes can play with confidence, energy and enthusiasm.
His ability to keep the season fun while maintaining a relentless competitive standard has become one of the program's defining characteristics.
The Wolves enter the 2026 campaign facing a new challenge. Graduation claimed several key contributors from last year's district championship squad, meaning a new group of leaders must emerge. Rather than trying to replace individual stars, Phillips and his staff are focused on developing the next wave of talent and building a roster capable of sustaining the program's tradition of excellence.
VYPE caught up with Coach Phillips on the eve of the 2026 season.
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