Bella Fields & Cayley Hanson of Deer Park Volleyball
The regular season has reached its midway point in football, and the postseason is looming in volleyball as teams enter round two of district play, so the tension has never been greater. Inevitably, that means audiences should be in for a show, as the stakes continue to rise.
Given that fact, it’s time to detail some of the most anticipated matchups coming up, as the race for a district title commences.
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Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
This matchup will be instrumental to how the remainder of district-play, and by extent, the playoff picture plays out in the coming weeks.
Langham Creek (28-8) currently sits in second place after last week's defeat to Cy Ranch brought the team's district record to 6-1. However, the Lobos have already defeated the Bears earlier in the season, with a tremendous effort to take a 3-2 victory over their division rivals.
As expected, Kennedy Jones (Sr. OH) has been on fire for LC, leading the team with nearly 400 kills on the season, alongside fellow senior Taylor Williams (OH/DS) who is averaging five digs per set (448 total on the season). Paired with fellow stars, Leah Rios (Sr. S) and Jordan Taylor (Jr. MH), the Lobos pack is thriving.
Don't sleep on Bridgeland, though. The Bears (21-11) are right behind Langham Creek, with the current third-place spot (5-2) in the district, and this would be the perfect opportunity to flip the script.
Senior outside-hitters Raylee Schaffner and Nylah Gray are the team's kill leaders, tallying over 300 apiece through the first half of district play. Meanwhile, TCU-commit Alice Volpe (Sr. DS) has been essential to Bridgeland's overall success, considering she's contributed upwards of 500 digs and 100 assists, thus far. Also watch for Lauren Baek (Sr. S) and Grace Wegenke (Jr. S/RS) to make some big plays on Tuesday at home.
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
This is certainly one of, if not the most anticipated matchups of the week. If this Fall has proven anything, it is that District 21-6A is absolutely stacked.
North Shore (5-0) is coming off yet another dominant performance, in which they handed C.E. King their first loss of the season, by an overwhelming score of 42-6. The Mustangs defense remains stout, having only allowed 22 total points within the past four weeks of play, while the offense continues to thrive with Kaleb Bailey behind-center.
The Bulldogs, on the other hand, have been picking up speed since week one. Their most recent game saw them trounce Humble 42-16, bringing their record to 5-0. Tulsa-commit Lloyd Avant (Sr. RB) has been a workhorse for Summer Creek's offense, averaging over 120 rush yards per game, while Kordell Rodgers (Sr. TE) and Caleb Welch (Sr. WR) are the favorite targets in the passing game. Defensively, LSU-commit Xavier Atkins (Sr. LB), Jaylen Carter (Sr. S), and Josiah Pratt (Jr. DT) are among the headliners on the Bulldogs' scary defense.
Lorin Cook (VYPE)
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE
The TAPPS district portion of the schedule is finally upon us, and the storied rivalry between Concordia Lutheran and St. Pius X should make for one heck of opener.
The Crusaders (4-1) are coming off a score-fest against TWCA, in which they outplayed the Warriors to the tune of a 51-37 win. Several of Concordia Lutheran's key playmakers -- Dartmouth-commit Lou Lamar (Sr. RB/DB), Tanner Huckfelt (Jr. QB), Cole Chance (Sr. RB/LB), Jayden Noack (Sr. TE/LB), Ben Hubenak (Sr. DL), etc. -- are plenty capable of putting on a show in front of their home crowd.
St. Pius X (3-3) has experienced a series of ups and down throughout the season, but given their familiarity with the Crusaders, it will be an interesting match nonetheless. Senior RB Joshua Mitchell has been the driving force behind SPX's successes, as he is currently averaging just over 120 yards per game on the ground, while senior linebackers Easton Dean and Nick Woods have headlined the Panthers defense.
Doug Brown (VYPE)
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Deer Park (26-9) is playing as well as one might have guessed, heading into the second round of district play.
Mississippi State-commit Cayley Hanson (Sr. S) and Tatum Busch (Sr. OH) have been the money-makers for the Deer, as both seniors are nearing 300 kills on the season, while Hanson in particular has racked up almost 600 assists and leads the team in serving aces. Other key contributors include the team's dig-leader (495) Erin Goodson (So. L/OH), as well as Cadence Lippe (Sr. S), and junior Mycah Whittemore.
On the Dobie side, the Longhorns are thriving at an equal pace to Deer Park, as they currently maintain a record of 26-6. The only district opponent that Dobie has lost to thus far was Deer Park, so this will be a revenge game for them. Alexa Gonzalez (Sr. S/OH) has bolstered the effort for the Longhorns, leading her team in kills (234) and assists (441). In addition, senior libero Aly Frias (379 digs), Amaya Langellier (Fr. MH), and Arianna Borrego (Sr. S) will also be players to watch for.
2023-24 Baytown Sterling Volleyball
Under the direction of ninth-year coach Candace Southall-Burkhalter, the Rangers went from teetering below .500, to a current record 15-13, which includes an impressive 5-2 record (second-place) in district.
“They just started playing like a family,” said Southall. “It took a little while to establish the chemistry, since we’ve dealt with various injuries during the preseason and regular season, so our first district game was the first time we had everyone healthy and back together.”
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“It took that aspect for us to figure out who we are. I think going into each game, we’ve just gotten stronger, and they’ve been working for each other.”
Said injuries included one the Baytown team’s stars, 2022 District 17-5A Offensive MVP, Katy Barger (Sr. OH). This has given several other key pieces the opportunity to step up.
Sterling's Katy BargerBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“Katy (Barger) had been out for three weeks at one point,” Southall said. “However, when she got back, you know she’s a playmaker, so she definitely has had a huge impact on our team. In her absence, Bailee Payne (Sr. OH) has helped carry the team on several occasions.”
“But, I think in all actuality, most of the team has stepped up in their own way. Our setters, Kennedy Birdsell (Sr.) and Kyilee Whittington (Jr.), are key elements and are the driving forces of our team. Our defense relies heavily on Karmyn Hebert (Sr. L) and Briana Galvan (Sr. DS), so it’s really been a total team effort all the way through.”
As Sterling prepares for round two in the district race, they’ll have to contend with other powers such as Barbers Hill and Nederland.
“Going into the second round, it’s going to take some adjusting. There were some moments where we had some unforced errors the first time through district, but we’re more familiar with our opponents now. If and when we show up, I think it’s going to be a better time around for us.”
Given that fact, what will it take for Southall-Burkhalter and the Rangers to keep this momentum going?
“Honestly, it’s just going to be about maintaining our focus on one point at a time,” she said. “We can’t look too far in advance, we just need to be where our feet are. That’s the goal for the whole second half.”
“Our motto for the season, if you will, has been the acronym ‘F.A.M.I.L.Y.’ which means ‘Forget About Me, I Love You,’ which will continue to be our mindset moving forward, as we look for a spot in the playoffs.”
Stick around. Something tells us that this is only the beginning for Baytown Sterling.
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Cypress Ranch Vollyball
Cypress Ranch ascends to the top of their district following a big time victory against rival Langham Creek. Meanwhile, Cinco Ranch continues to assert their dominance in the packed Katy ISD, with Tompkins and Seven Lakes being among their latest victims in some close matchups. Another team to keep an eye on -- George Ranch --who enters the equation after their recent win over Class 6A contender Fort Bend Austin.
In Class 5A, the highly-anticipated divisional matchup between Fulshear and Foster resulted in the Chargers taking a firm grasp of first place in Lamar Consolidated ISD. Barbers Hill and Friendswood still remain in top spots with each team maintaining their monstrous momentum. Furthermore, there have been new developments in the rankings, as Baytown Sterling topples GCM which extends their record over .500.
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THE VYPE RANKINGS
Class 6A Top 20 (Numbers in parentheses indicate current record)
1. Grand Oaks Grizzlies (36-1; 10-0 in district)
2. Cinco Ranch Cougars (26-5; 10-0 in district)
3. Stratford Spartans (30-6; 7-0 in district)
4. Cypress Ranch Mustangs (26-5; 7-0 in district)
5. Pearland Dawson Eagles (28-8; 5-0 in district)
6. Langham Creek Lobos (28-8; 6-1 in district)
7. Deer Park Deer (26-9; 6-0 in district)
8. Tomball Memorial Wildcats (29-8; 7-0 in district)
9. Pearland Oilers (27-10; 5-1 in district)
10. Katy Tompkins Falcons (21-9; 8-2 in district)
11. College Park Cavaliers (19-7; 8-2 in district)
12. The Woodlands Highlanders (26-13; 8-2 in district)
13. Clear Springs Chargers (24-12; 6-0 in district)
14. Ridge Point Panthers (24-13; 9-1 in district)
15. Fort Bend Austin Bulldogs (22-14; 8-2 in district)
16. Seven Lakes Spartans (20-13; 7-2 in district)
17. Bridgeland Bears (21-11; 5-2 in district)
18. Atascocita Eagles (20-10; 7-0 in district)
19. Katy Jordan Warriors (23-11; 6-3 in district)
20. George Ranch Longhorns (20-14; 8-2 in district)
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Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Class 5A Top 10
1. Barbers Hill Eagles (30-7; 7-0 in district)
2. Friendswood Mustangs (19-9; 6-0 in district)
3. Fulshear Chargers (26-4; 6-0 in district)
4. Foster Falcons (24-8; 6-1 in district)
5. Baytown Sterling Rangers (15-13; 5-2 in district)
6. Goose Creek Memorial Patriots (21-11; 5-2 in district)
7. Magnolia Bulldogs (17-14; 4-3 in district)
8. Lake Creek Lions (15-19; 4-3 in district)
9. Montgomery Bears (22-15; 2-5 in district)
10. Galveston Ball Tornadoes (22-12; 2-4 in district)
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Private School Top 10
1. Fort Bend Christian Academy Eagles (22-3; 6-0 in district)
2. Lutheran South Academy Pioneers (30-7; 7-1 in district)
3. Episcopal Knights (24-9; 2-0 in district)
4. Concordia Lutheran Crusaders (29-11; 4-1 in district)
5. St. John's Mavericks (17-8; 5-0 in district)
6. Rosehill Christian Eagles (18-8; 7-0 in district)
7. The John Cooper School Dragons (16-6; 2-0 in district)
8. Legacy Prep Lions (21-3-4; 2-0 in district)
9. Kinkaid School Falcons (8-9; 2-2 in district)
10. St. John XXIII Lions (11-15; 2-2 in district)
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