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VYPE On My Whistle Podcast | UIL State Championship Week Preview

Dec 16, 2025

VYPE’s Matt Malatesta, Jackson DiPasquale and Alex Hinson are back to review and preview the Houston high school football scene as we roll into the UIL State Championships this week, and the storylines are already heating up.

The season is coming to an end with the State Championships being played this week — listen in as Malatesta, DiPasquale, Ogle and Hinson break it all down on On My Whistle.

THE SETUP: No. 1 Tompkins | VYPE Houston Volleyball 2026 Preseason Rankings

The featured standouts of the 2026–27 Tompkins Falcons volleyball team.

Matt Powell (VYPE)

Attention has naturally shifted toward Tompkins as a legitimate favorite to reach the Culwell Center come November. The Falcons possess the depth, experience, and proven talent to justify the lofty expectations surrounding head coach Allison Merrell's squad.

That said, the well-earned hype won't breed complacency. Motivation should be in ample supply after a dominant 39-6 campaign ended one match shy of the state final, when Austin High rallied from two sets down to eliminate Tompkins in the 6A Division II State Semifinals.

THE SETUP: No. 2 Tomball | VYPE Houston Volleyball 2026 Preseason Rankings

The featured standouts of the 2026–27 Tomball Cougars volleyball team.

Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)

Coming off what can easily be described as the program’s most productive showing to date, Tomball enters 2026 carrying clear momentum and a new standard of expectations.

Led by head coach Jordan Williams, the Cougars now look to capitalize on a breakthrough 41-7 campaign that saw them advance five rounds deep into the playoffs and make the program's first appearance in the UIL State Tournament.

THE SETUP: No. 3 Seven Lakes | VYPE Houston Volleyball 2026 Preseason Rankings

The featured standouts of the 2026–27 Seven Lakes Spartans volleyball team.

Matt Powell (VYPE)

Spartan Nation hasn’t had to wait long to see Seven Lakes volleyball return to championship form. Though they finished third in district play a year ago, the Lady Spartans (27-12) found another gear in the playoffs, advancing four rounds deep, where their run ended against Dawson in the Region III Final.

Much of that same firepower returns for coach Amy Cataline to optimize as the push for a second UIL title resumes, which would mark the program’s first since 2020.

GAMES

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