2. St. John’s School Mavericks
3. St. Agnes Academy Tigers
4. Fort Bend Christian Academy Eagles
5. Concordia Lutheran Crusaders
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Others to Watch: Episcopal Knights, St. John XXIII Lions, Houston Christian Mustangs, Cypress Christian Warriors, Legacy Prep Christian Academy Lions, Kinkaid Falcons, John Cooper School Dragons, The Woodlands Christian Academy Warriors
#1 -- Lutheran South Academy Pioneers
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1. Lutheran South Academy Pioneers
Head Coach: Geoff Stresman
2024: 31-7/TAPPS-5A Regional Finalists
AFTER ENDURING AN UPSET AGAINST LPCA IN LAST YEAR’S TAPPS REGIONAL ROUND, LSA ENTERS THE FALL SEASON WITH SOMETHING TO PROVE.
Gone is the “face of the franchise,” Kirra Musgrove, who has since moved on to continue her playing career at Texas A&M. While Kirra’s dynamic presence will be missed, her younger sister, Addison Musgrove, looks ready to carry the torch. Now a sophomore, Addison made an immediate impact in her debut, with over 300 kills and 100 digs, earning second-team, all-state and District Newcomerof the Year honors.
Also returning is setter/right-side hitter Aniston Collins (SFA-commit), who tallied 615 assists, 214 digs, and 164 kills
last season—efforts that earned her first-team all-district and all-state honorable-mention recognition. Senior Sami-Rae Robles adds veteran leadership, while the Pioneers will also rely on a promising group of underclassmen.
That includes sophomores Charlie Marsico (second-team, all-district), Megan Schwanbeck (honorable mention), and Eli Wittman, all expected to play key roles in upholding theprogram’s competitive standard.
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2. St. John’s School Mavericks
Head Coach: Shelbi Irvin
2024: 23-11/SPC-4A State Finalists
THE MAVERICKS CAME WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE OF CAPTURING THEIR FIRST SPC CHAMPIONSHIP SINCE 2018 LAST NOVEMBER, ADVANCING ALL THE WAY TO THE 4A FINAL BEFORE FALLING TO HOCKADAY.
Looking to sustain that momentum, coach Shelbi Irvin will rely on the returning talents of key players like Jacey Carroll (Jr. OH), All-SPC selection Kiran Rio (Sr. OH), and Bailey Johnson (Sr. MB). This trio proved invaluable in 2024, combining for nearly 750 kills and anchoring the Mavericks’ offensive attack.
Defensively, the Mavericks face achallenge with the graduation of libero Daniela Laing, who is now continuing her career at NYU. However, setters Olivia Landahl (676assists, 170 digs), a junior, and sophomore Macie Chase (191 assists) are expected to step up and fill the void on the backcourt, providing steady leadership and distribution.
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3. St. Agnes Academy Tigers
Head Coach: Ashley Ariwodo
2024: 25-10/TAPPS-6A Regional Finalists
AFTER GOING 25-10 OVERALL AND REACHING THE TAPPS-6A REGIONAL FINALS A YEAR AGO, ST. AGNES RETURNS WITH A SEASONED CORE AND EYES ON ANOTHER STATE TITLE PUSH.
Head coach Ashley Ariwodo will lean heavily on her senior class to provide leadership and consistency as the Tigers look to build on last year’s productive postseason.
Leading the charge is outside hitter Casey Hyde, the reigning District Offensive Player of the Year, whose all-around play sets the tone on the court. She’s joined by libero Maris Haecker, middle blocker Audrey Levine, and right-side hitter Mia Lawrence—each bringing valuable experience to a well-rounded lineup.
Though their 2021 state championship season isn’t far in the rearview mirror, the Tigers remain hungry to reclaim their spot at the top.
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4. Fort Bend Christian Academy Eagles
Head Coach: David Reeves
2024: 31-13/TAPPS-5A State Finalists
DESPITE BATTLING THROUGH INJURIES AND A MIDSEASON COACHING CHANGE, FBCA DEFIED THE ODDS IN 2024 BY REACHING THE TAPPS-5A CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.
Though the Eagles ultimately fell to All Saints Episcopal in a 3-1 Final, the resilience shown under then-interim coach David Reeves was nothing short of impressive.
With the departure of pivotal seniors like Bayleigh Minor, Ruth Ochelli, Lauren LeRoux, and Layne Bulow, some may question FBCA’s ability to replicate last season’s success. But, rest assured, there’s still plenty of fire power in the rotation.
Senior libero Daniela Ramirez, a first-team all-district selection, returns to anchor the back row after recording over 300 digs last year. She’ll be joined by second-team setter Channing Low, who tallied 419 assists and 179 digs.
Offensively, senior second-teamer Laycee McGrady (182 kills, 235 digs) and junior honorable-mention Tanner Tell (219 kills, 119 digs) are poised to take on expanded roles.
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5. Concordia Lutheran Crusaders
Head Coach: Kim Odinga
2024: 32-15/TAPPS-6A State Semifinalists
LAST FALL SAW CONCORDIA LUTHERAN PUT TOGETHER YET ANOTHER DOMINANT CAMPAIGN, GOING A PERFECT 10-0 IN DISTRICT PLAY BEFORE DEFEATING TMI-EPISCOPAL AND INCARNATE WORD (SAN ANTONIO) IN THE TAPPS -6A POSTSEASON.
Although their title hopes were cut short by Antonian College Prep, it’s a safe bet that ‘Sader Nation might have another opportunity in the coming months. The program’s consistency speaks for itself – evidenced by the fact that Concordia has reached the TAPPS State Final Four every year since 2014, with the lone exception of 2022.
Head coach Kim Odinga will have some rebuilding to do, as the team graduated a large group of key contributors, including McKinzie Riley, Carleigh Schluter, Haley Herndon, Imerie Jones, Sara Sellers, Ava Hancock, and Rivers Lee. Still, the Crusaders are not a group that opponents are advised to take lightly.
With a track record of their caliber, CLHS should be well-positioned to remain a force in TAPPS-6A volleyball.
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