By Andy Tolbert
Deer Park’s offense was dynamic and the defense held down a Dobie ground attack just enough to get the win.
Next up is Pasadena.
Check out the amazing photos by Andy Tolbert.
The featured standouts of the 2026–27 Tompkins Falcons volleyball team.
Matt Powell (VYPE)
Powering the team’s response is ascending junior Elsa St. Rose. A true Swiss Army knife on the floor, St. Rose fully asserted herself as an all-around force in 2025, earning District 19-6A MVP honors behind a stat line of 568 kills, 705 receptions, and 371 digs.
The spark behind every point will be senior setter Drew Merrell, an East Texas Baptist commit who earned first-team all-district distinction after surpassing 800 assists and 250 digs a year ago. She’ll be supported by junior Ava Shepard (675 assists), while district second-teamer Ava Johnk operates opposite St. Rose as one of the team’s primary pin hitters.
Baylor-bound senior Natalie Kitts brings valuable height in the middle, a presence that will be key as she steps into an expanded role following the graduation of Emma Elsasser (Texas State) and Callie Funk (Yale).
“We’re strong offensively,” said coach Merrell. “This offseason has been about finding the right pieces defensively and realizing how much chemistry drives our success as we build on last year. This team is going to be fun to watch—I can’t wait for it to start.”
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Tompkins' Drew Merrell (Sr. S), Natalie Kitts (Sr. MB), and Ava Johnk (Sr. OH)Matt Powell (VYPE)
The featured standouts of the 2026–27 Tomball Cougars volleyball team.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Arkansas commit Gemma Hopkins anchors the backline after capturing District 15-6A MVP honors last fall. While liberos rarely claim that distinction, Hopkins left little room for debate, piling up more than 600 digs, 539 receptions, and 161 assists during an exemplary junior season.
First-team all-district setter Greysen Ortmeier, now a sophomore, enjoyed a monumental varsity debut for the Coogs, compiling more than 1,100 assists and 300 digs. As her chemistry with a seasoned core of teammates continues to grow, those numbers could climb even higher.
Defensively, senior Maddux Doty provides another steady presence alongside Hopkins in the back row. Tomball’s attack will feature no shortage of weapons, headlined by seniors Georgia Hornes (UT Tyler commit), Taylor Choate (Wharton County JC), and Kennedy Spencer, alongside junior standout Kinsley Moretti. Each earned all-district recognition a year ago, giving the Cougars a versatile group of offensive threats.
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Tomball's Taylor Choate (Sr. OH)Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The featured standouts of the 2026–27 Seven Lakes Spartans volleyball team.
Matt Powell (VYPE)
Attention naturally turns to the attacking side for Seven Lakes, where one of the nation’s highly touted middles, Willtrace “Wiggles” Ngoh, anchors the front line. The USC commit posted more than 250 kills and 150 blocks en route to District 19-6A Blocker of the Year accolades. Beyond her exceptional showing at SLHS, Ngoh went on to compete with the USA U19 Women’s National Team over the summer and earned Under Armour All-American recognition, further solidifying her status on the elite stage.
Fellow senior Gracie Hobin, a Vanderbilt commit, is back in the mix after leading the Spartans with 428 kills, alongside 295 digs and 349 serve receptions, which would earn her a first-team all-district selection.
Nlonna Okwura (Jr. MB) is another name to watch on offense, looking to build on a second-team all-district season in which she racked up over 200 kills and nearly 120 blocks. Meanwhile, senior Emma Sabelli will help stabilize the effort as Seven Lakes’ starting defensive specialist.
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Seven Lakes' Gracie Hobin (Sr. OH)Matt Powell (VYPE)
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