H-Town High School Sports rolls on! In case you missed it, check out the full-length episode on YouTube below! Don't forget to subscribe to VYPE on YouTube for more great video content!
Keep reading...Show less
H-Town High School Sports rolls on! In case you missed it, check out the full-length episode on YouTube below! Don't forget to subscribe to VYPE on YouTube for more great video content!
Fort Bend Austin's Tinsley Welker
In a sport where precision and timing make all the difference, few players combine those qualities with the quiet confidence of Tinsley Welker.
Though still a junior, Welker has quietly become a cornerstone of Fort Bend Austin’s volleyball program, proving that leadership isn’t always loud but always effective.
Last season, Welker’s impact was undeniable. Named the District 21-6A Setter of the Year as a sophomore, she averaged an impressive 8.6 assists per set, totaling 1,150 assists over the course of the year. But her contributions don’t end there— with 400 digs, 238 kills, 61 aces, and 35 blocks, she demonstrates a versatility rare for any player, let alone one so young.
Welker’s development extends beyond the high school gym. Competing with the Houston Skyline 16 Royal club team, she faces some of the region’s best talent, sharpening the skills that make her one of the area’s most efficient and dependable setters.
Austin closed out the 2024 season with a strong 29-16 record and a second-place finish in District 21-6A.
The stars of 2025-26 Fort Bend Austin VolleyballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Although the Bulldogs faced a tough opening-round loss to Manvel in the playoffs, the experience has only fueled their determination heading into the new year.
As the 2025 campaign continues, a fair portion of the attention will fall on Welker to lead the Bulldogs’ offense and build on their success. While she has yet to announce a college commitment, her impressive résumé makes it clear that recruitment interest will intensify in the coming months.
When it comes to this game, much of the overall rhythm flows through the setter — and with Tinsley Welker orchestrating the play, Fort Bend Austin’s season promises to be one worth watching.
...
The Ridge Point Panthers have officially climbed to the top spot in the city, earning VYPE’s No. 1 ranking after knocking off No. 3 Bridgeland in last week’s VYPE Thursday Night Showdown.
The Panthers also picked up the honor of being named the Whataburger Team of the Week following their dominant 31-3 victory.
Offensively, Ridge Point looked sharp and balanced. Quarterback Brody Bartee delivered a strong performance through the air, connecting with playmakers DJ Darling and Bailen George to keep the chains moving. On the ground, running back Aiden Akins provided a steady presence, punishing the Bears’ defense with his physical style.
Defensively, the Panthers were suffocating. The defensive front consistently pressured Bridgeland’s quarterback, disrupting timing and rhythm all night long. Linebackers Dyllon Bennett and Braydon Bonik controlled the middle of the field, while the secondary shut down big plays with speed and discipline. The unit as a whole set the tone, holding a high-powered Bridgeland offense to just a field goal.
With confidence riding high, the Panthers now turn their attention to the Elkins Knights. If Ridge Point continues to play with the same intensity and precision, they’ll remain the team to beat in Greater Houston.
The stars of 2025-26 Tompkins Volleyball
The current outlook across Houston area volleyball is becoming more defined, with several clubs tightening their grip on district races — and a few surprise results stirring up intrigue along the way.
Dawson continues to set the pace in Class 6A, holding firm as the city’s consensus top-ranked team with a 24-4 record and a commanding start in 22-6A play.
Close behind, Grand Oaks, Tompkins, and Tomball remain unbeaten in their respective districts, each showing the kind of consistency that typically translates to deep postseason runs.
Further down the rankings, the field is more complex.
District 16-6A could prove one of the most compelling races down the stretch, with perennial powers like Cypress Ranch and Bridgeland vying for control — though Cy Woods, off to a strong start of its own, could very well disrupt that narrative.
The story in 19-6A also took an unexpected turn last week, as Katy Jordan edged out Seven Lakes in a five-set battle that adds a new layer of uncertainty to the district's pecking order.
Ridge Point, Stratford, and Manvel have also gained traction in recent weeks, while College Park and Atascocita are steadily building momentum.
Class 5A has seen fewer shake-ups, with Friendswood holding steady at No. 1 and Barbers Hill keeping pace behind a 26-win campaign. West Fork looks poised to repeat as champions of 18-5A, as the Gators close in on 30 wins in 2025.
While Montgomery suffered a setback in a key district matchup against rival Lake Creek, it may prove to be little more than a brief hiccup in what has otherwise been a dominant fall for the Bears. Still, it’s a result that could carry weight as the 17-5A standings begin to tighten in the weeks ahead.
As the first half of district play nears its end, the margins between contenders and hopefuls continue to narrow. With several heavyweight matchups still on the horizon, the next few weeks may prove decisive.
...
...
***Second section denotes current record (acquired from MaxPreps as of 9/15/2025)
VYPE Houston Volleyball Rankings -- Continued District Schedule (September)
CLASS 6A TOP-20
1. Dawson Eagles -- 24-4 // 4-0 in District 22-6A
2. Grand Oaks Grizzlies -- 23-8 // 6-0 in District 13-6A
3. Tompkins Falcons -- 23-5 // 5-0 in District 19-6A
4. Tomball Cougars -- 27-5 // 5-0 in District 15-6A
5. Cypress Ranch Mustangs -- 23-7 // 2-0 in District 16-6A
6. Fulshear Chargers -- 19-8 // 0-0 in District 20-6A
7. Clear Springs Chargers -- 23-8 // 2-0 in District 24-6A
8. Bridgeland Bears -- 20-9 // 2-0 in District 16-6A
9. Seven Lakes Spartans -- 17-7 // 4-1 in District 19-6A
10. Ridge Point Panthers -- 19-13 // 3-0 in District 21-6A
11. Stratford Spartans -- 13-12 // 2-0 in District 17-6A
12. Oak Ridge War Eagles -- 18-7 // 4-1 in District 13-6A
13. College Park Cavaliers -- 20-9 // 4-2 in District 13-6A
14. Katy Jordan Warriors -- 21-9 // 5-1 in District 19-6A
15. Manvel Mavericks -- 21-8 // 6-0 in District 22-6A
16. Cypress Woods Wildcats -- 24-5 // 2-0 in District 16-6A
17. Klein Oak Panthers -- 26-9 // 4-2 in District 15-6A
18. Foster Falcons -- 16-6 // 0-0 in District 20-6A
19. Atascocita Eagles -- 13-7 // 2-0 in District 23-6A
20. Tomball Memorial Wildcats -- 20-10 // 4-1 in District 15-6A
Others to Watch: The Woodlands Highlanders (13-6A), Clear Lake Falcons (24-6A), Magnolia Bulldogs (15-6A), Waller Bulldogs (16-6A), Pearland Oilers (22-6A), Memorial Mustangs (17-6A), Deer Park Deer (24-6A), Katy Taylor Mustangs (19-6A), George Ranch Longhorns (20-6A)
...
Some of the stars of 2025-26 West Fork VolleyballDoug Brown (VYPE)
CLASS 5A TOP-5
1. Friendswood Mustangs -- 23-8 // 2-0 in District 20-5A
2. Barbers Hill Eagles -- 26-5 // 2-0 in District 19-5A
3. Montgomery Bears -- 27-8 // 1-1 in District 17-5A*
4. West Fork Gators -- 29-4 // 2-0 in District 18-5A
5. Lake Creek Lions -- 13-16 // 2-0 in District 17-5A*
Others to Watch: Kingwood Park Panthers (18-5A), Angleton Wildcats (20-5A), Pasadena Eagles (18-5A)
...
Join the #VYPETEAM
Get up to date news from all over the country!