VYPE caught up with Alief Hastings Football Coach Tomas De La Rosa at the VYPE Alief ISD Fall 2023 Media Day about the season and more!
Check out the interview below!
Clear Springs' Brynley & Brooke Colianni
Photo provided by Brynley Colianni
But what’s even more rare than their deep postseason run is the makeup of their starting lineup — it features three sets of sisters, each duo bringing an unspoken connection to the diamond that can’t be coached.
Senior catcher Erianna “Nana” Garcia and her freshman utility player sister Elisa “Esa” Garcia, twin junior outfielders Alana and Emily Strever, and the underclassman tandem of sophomore infielder Brooke Colianni and freshman outfielder Brynley Colianni are more than just teammates — they are family, literally and figuratively, helping anchor a team that has become one of the most resilient stories in Texas high school softball.
Built on Bonds
Elisa & Erianna GarciaPhoto provided by Erianna Garcia
“It’s an amazing feeling to have my sister with me through this run,” said Erianna Garcia. “We’ve played together for years, so knowing that I get to spend this last stretch of my high school career with her has just been a crazy experience for me.”
While the Garcias are used to practicing together, this is their first time suiting up together in high school ball — a moment neither of them takes for granted.
“I’ve been going up and down with each age level that comes my way, so this has been one of the only years that we’ve been on the same team,” said Elisa. “Since I’m a freshman, this is my first time playing high school ball. Being with her (Erianna) has been great. We know each other. We know how to lift each other up.”
That kind of chemistry shows up in clutch moments. It’s no coincidence that Clear Springs continues to defy expectations, delivering upset after upset throughout the postseason.
From Eryn Polite’s walk-off homer against Katy, to a gritty comeback in the State Semifinals versus East Central, the Chargers have embraced the underdog role — and leaned on their internal support systems along the way.
“We know each other’s struggles,” added Erianna. “I think that comes with practicing together for so long. But just like any other teammate, the connection is there. It’s real.”
Double the Talent, Double the Trust
Emily & Alana StreverPhoto provided by Emily Strever
In the outfield, it’s not uncommon to see seamless coverage and no-look communication between juniors Alana and Emily Strever — the kind that looks almost choreographed. That’s because it sort of is.
“In my experience, I feel like it’s been easier for us in the outfield,” said Alana. “We’ve been together our whole lives and we understand each other better than most can say.”
That connection has become a stabilizing force, especially as the games have gotten bigger and the moments more intense.
“We always have someone to talk to and we can help each other through any problem that we face,” Emily added. “That kind of connection is special.”
But what truly sets Clear Springs apart isn't just talent — it’s tenacity. As the season stretched deep into May, the team repeatedly found ways to come back when others might fold.
“Most teams give up when they’re down late,” Emily said. “But that’s when we start. We push the hardest when it gets to that point, and that’s why we’re in the situation we are now. That’s how we win.”
It’s not just poetic — it’s factual. The Chargers have turned late-inning pressure into a calling card, and each time they’re counted out, they respond like a family with something to prove.
Sibling Rivalry? Try Sisterly Resilience
Brynley & Brooke ColianniPhoto provided by Brynley Colianni
While some sisters grow up competing against each other, Brooke and Brynley Colianni say that sharing the same dugout has only strengthened their bond — and their understanding of each other’s drive.
“We’ve gotten to see each other grow, even before this year,” said Brooke. “It’s such a fun experience to be side by side in all of this. Not many people can have the opportunity that we do.”
That closeness has created a shared sense of purpose between them, especially on a stage as big as the state tournament.
“Because we’re so close in age, it helps us understand why we’re so competitive,” Brynley explained. “We work together rather than working against each other, especially since we’re on the same team in high school.”
Together, the Coliannis provide depth, leadership, and spark to a roster that’s relied on more than just physical skills to outmatch bigger, more experienced programs.
Playing with Purpose
Next up for Clear Springs is powerhouse Midway, a program that’s been here before. But don’t expect the Chargers to shy away from the moment. If anything, they’re running toward it — and they’re doing so hand in hand, or sister in sister.
“Midway has been there before. Nobody expected us to go this far, so we’re used to it at this point,” said Erianna Garcia. “We know what’s at stake, and we have that motivation. We love to prove people wrong, and that’s been the standard we’ve held ourselves to in the playoffs.”
And that standard — gritty, fearless, unbreakable — mirrors the bonds that these sisters share both on and off the field.
In a season filled with improbable wins and unforgettable moments, the most enduring image might just be that of six sisters, lacing up the same cleats, donning the same jersey, and chasing the same dream — together.
Because while most teams are built on depth charts and stats, Clear Springs is built on something even stronger: sisterhood.
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