Ever heard the saying, "just a year away?"
The College Park Cavs went 22-11 and 12-4 in district play a year ago with some youngsters. Remember College Park, the home of McDonalds All-American and UH hooper Quentin Grimes?
Well, coach Clifton McNeely can coach'em up with the best of them. McNeely returns first-teamers Drew Calderon and Ty Buckmon, both completely different players.
Calderon is a 6-foot-4, smooth-as-silk Indiana State-commit who lets the game come to him. Buckmon is up-tempo and pushes on offense and defense. He also plays QB for the Cavs football team.
The only drawback is that Khi Watkins has transferred to Paetow.
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BARBERS HILL WENT 35-14 OVERALL A YEAR AGO AND REACHED THE REGIONAL FINALS.
Sixth-year coach Casey Veen (174-40 at Barbers Hill; 373-133 overall) returns three starters off that team as they seek a 24th-straight playoff appearance in 2025.
District 19-5A Newcomer of the Year Kenli Irwin is back after registering 565 kills, 301 digs, 69aces and 58 blocks. Irwin was also named GHVCA Newcomer of the Year and TGCA All-State.
Setter/Pin stars Baylee Foster (556 assists,86 aces, 71 kills) and Julianne Melancon (720 assists, 71 kills, 69 aces) are back after earning first-team, all-district team nods.
“This group communicates well, is extremely competitive, and has played together in years past, but this will be a learning curve playing on varsity for some. If the team can play smart, but not scared, and apply pressure to our opponents, then we will continue our tradition of success,” Veen said.
MAGNOLIA WEST REACHED THE AREA ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS IN 2024 AFTER GOING 28-12 OVERALL.
Fourth-year coach Kristin Lemoine returns four starters as the Mustangs try to make it three-straight trips to the playoffs in 2025.
University of Houston-commit Shannon Dworaczyk will lead the crew after being named District 15-6A Setter of the Year, AVCA All-Region and first-team, all-district. Dworaczyk racked up 1,391 assists, 314 digs and 125 kills a year ago.
Also returning are first-team, all-district picks in outside hitter Hayden Stebbins (441kills, 437 digs, 35 aces) and right-side hitter Alex Kerman (277 kills,93 digs, 20 blocks 17 aces). Other key returners include middle-hitter Rubie Mullens (second-team, all-district), who had 107 kills with 71digs, 51 blocks and 39 aces and Alexis Massey.
“We have a strong returning group that has been playing together for a while,” Lemoine said. “Leadership, chemistry, and game knowledge will help be our strong attributes.”
THE GATORS ARE THE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK IN THE H-TOWN VOLLEYBALL SCENE BUT THEY ARE ALREADY MAKING NOISE.
West Fork – New Caney ISD’s newest high school – is coming off a 33-win season in 2024.
The Gators reached the Bi-District round of the playoffs and have made the playoffs in their first two seasons of varsity play. Five seniors will lead the way for veteran coach Tammy White, who has 604 career coaching wins spanning 24 years.
District 18-5A MVP Khloe Lilly (Jr. OH) is back after racking up 402 kills and 381 digs. The District 18-5A Defensive Player of the Year Addison Lewis led the Gators with 547 digs, averaging 11.9 digs per match.
First-team, all-district picks ZZ Nwanoneze (206 kills) and Allison Lewis (792 assists, 36 blocks) are also back in the mix. The keys to success for 2025 boils down to three pillars for White – Resilience, Team, Love.
This team is becoming a veteran-heavy team with two years of varsity experience under their belt.
Watch out for the Gators bite in 2025.
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