Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
You've already seen the VYPE Austin preseason private 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!
Brentwood Christian School Bears (Missed 2018 TAPPS 5A playoffs)
Brentwood Christian School missed the TAPPS 5A playoffs in 2018, but is a team to watch going into the 2019 season. The Bears finished last year with a 14-10-1 record, and have notable returning players in second-team all-district honorees Alyssa Mancias and Caroline Griffith, and district honorable mentions Brooklyn Allen and Ava Alvarado. Mancias is back for her senior season, so she'll lead the pack. Griffith and Allen provide important depth as a juniors, while sophomore Alvarado adds to the team's talent pool.
Hill Country Christian School of Austin Lady Knights (Missed 2018 TAPPS 4A playoffs)
Hill Country Christian School of Austin missed the TAPPS 4A playoffs in 2018, but will challenge for a spot in 2019. The Lady Knights are coming off a 16-15-4 season, and are ready to inch closer to the postseason. They will lean on a strong senior class that includes Haley Dise, Ansley Drenner and Molly Shuffield. Dise and Drenner received second-team all-district honors last year, and Schuffield is coming off a district honorable mention campaign.
Hyde Park Lady Panthers (Missed 2018 TAPPS 5A playoffs)
Hyde Park recorded an 11-12-1 record in a non-playoff season in 2018, but has the talent to clinch a TAPPS 5A berth in 2019. The Lady Panthers still have five of their six all-district players from a year ago, including first-teamer Lily Yarbrough. She is a member of a strong junior class that includes second-teamers Arianna Franklin and Rebecca Whittenburg, as well as honorable mentions Lauren Hart and Ashlynn Veach.
Austin San Juan Diego Catholic Saints (Missed 2018 TAPPS 2A playoffs)
Austin San Juan Diego Catholic fell short of the TAPPS 2A playoffs with a 7-12 record in 2018, but is expected to bounce back in 2019. The Saints lost all five of their all-district players from a season ago, and have only two returning starters, so they will lean on middle blocker Ana Valencia and outside hitter Ariel Nevarez. Additional depth will come from right side hitter Litzy Amaro and setter Alyssa Mullen.
Faith Academy of Marble Falls Lady Flames (Missed 2018 TAPPS 3A playoffs)
Faith Academy of Marble Falls didn't qualify for last year's TAPPS 3A playoffs because it finished 2018 with a 2-6 record, but will be a team to keep an eye on in 2019. That's because the Lady Flames still have second-team all-district player Gavreilla Phillips, as well as honorable mentions Greysen Lenz and Kenna Eubanks. Lenz is back for her senior season, while the other two return for their junior year.
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