VARSITY VOLLEYBALL Dragons Are Silver Bracket Champs
10/8 vs. Houston Christian • 3-0 W
10/9-10 at Houston Open Tournament, Houston Skyline Volleyball
• Silver Bracket Champions•
Dragons finished 4-2 overall, with three wins on the final day.
vs. Frassati: 2-0 W
vs. Concordia 2-1 L
vs. St. Agnes 2-0 L
vs. Faith West Academy 2-0 W
vs. St. John XXIII 2-0 W
vs. Fort Bend Christian 2-0 W
Next up for Dragon Volleyball:
Oct. 13 vs. Duchesne, 6 p.m.
Oct.15 vs. St. John's, 5:30 p.m.
VARSITY FOOTBALL Dragons Are 2-0 For Season
10/2 at Houston Christian • 16-3 W
Coach Erik DeHaven: The John Cooper School went to 2-0 Friday night defeating Houston Christian 16-3. Jake Peterson carried the load rushing for 221 yards and two touchdowns, averaging over 10 yards a carry. The windy conditions kept the game mainly on the ground and Peterson was up for the task, repeatedly getting the needed yardage to move the chains for the Dragons; on a crucial 4th and 9, Peterson asked "if you want it, I got it", and that's exactly what he did. For the second game in a row the Dragon defense bent without breaking, forcing two fumbles and one interception limiting the Mustang offense to just 72 total yards on the night. ll, racking up 13 tackles, 10 solo, one sack and three tackles for loss. The Dragons match up with the Lions of St. John XXIII next week.
Offensive Stats:
279 Rushing yards
54 passing yards
Total 333 Yards Offense
Defensive Stats:
(-6) Yards rushing
78 Passing yards
Total 76 Yards Offense
Players of the Game:
Team MVP: Jack Peterson • 221 Rushing Yards / 2 TD / 10 yard avg per carry / 13 total tackles, 10 solo, 2 pass break ups, 3 tackles for a loss, 1 Sack.
Off MVP: Jax Sisson • Highest Graded Offensive Lineman with 3 pancake blocks
Def MVP: Will Corson • 2 Sacks – 4.5 Tackles – 1 Forced Fumble
Special Teams MVP: Will Young • (30 yard filed goal) 2 touch backs on kickoff – 100% PAT
Scout Team: Hayden Hammit • Tremendous effort all week.
Next up for Dragon Football:
Oct. 9 at Saint John XXIII, 7 p.m.
VARSITY CROSS COUNTRY Tough Results on a Tough Course – Coach Dohner
10/10 at The 40th Maverick Ramble at Spring Creek Park
Coach George Dohner: Tough results on a tough course
Boys 4th • Girls 2nd
The Cooper Cross Country teams ran at the St Johns 40th Maverick Ramble this weekend at Spring Creek Park.
The Tomball course took its toll on the Cooper boys as two of the top runners did not finish due to minor injuries on the course. This allowed the rest of the team to step up. Senior Zac Winton did just that, knocking another seven seconds off his personal best (17:12) to lead the Cooper team to a 4th place finish. Junior Drew Wilkerson also ran a personal best (17:46) and finished 11th. Nathan Seamans and Grey Mendenhall ran well finishing 15th and 16th. Kase Melodick finished out the team scoring in 18th.
"While we felt bad for Will and Vishnu having to drop out of the race, we are extremely proud of the rest of the boys for stepping up. Four of the five set personal bests on a pretty tough course!" said Coach George Dohner.
Team Finish – 4th place
Zac Winton – 6th (17:12)
Drew Wilkerson – 11th (17:46)
Nathan Seamans – 15th (18:09)
Grey Mendenhall – 16th (18:12)
Kase Melodick – 18th (18:19)
The Cooper girls also ran well without senior leader Katie Drake who did not compete this weekend. Cooper only finished 15 points behind the team champions St Johns. Sophomore Megan Day ran a season best 20:59 to take 3rd place in a tough field of runners. Freshman Ava Perugini, in only her second 5k race, knocked nearly a minute off of her personal best to finish in 9th place with at 21:45. She was followed by Rebecca Melin in 10th place, Amber Navarra in 12th, and Chloe Smith and Abby Mendenhall in 15th and 16th.
"We proved today that we have a little depth on our team are happy with the results," said Dohner.
Team Finish: 2nd place
Megan Day – 3rd (20:59)
Ava Perugini – 9th (21:45)
Rebecca Melin – 10th (21:59)
Amber Navarra – 12th (22:00)
Chloe Smith – 15th (22:29)
Next up for Dragon Cross Country:
Oct. 24 at Creekside West Nature Trail Tri-Meet
The featured standouts of the 2026–27 St. John's School volleyball team.
3. The John Cooper School Dragons
4. Concordia Lutheran Crusaders
5. Fort Bend Christian Academy Eagles
Others to Watch: Cypress Christian Warriors, Episcopal Knights, Faith West Academy Eagles, Houston Christian Mustangs, Legacy Prep Christian Academy Lions, Logos Prep Lions, Providence Classical Paladins, Second Baptist Eagles, St. Agnes Academy Tigers, St. John XXIII Lions, St. Pius X Panthers, The Awty International School Rams, The Kinkaid School Falcons, The Woodlands Christian Academy Warriors
...
Lutheran South Academy Pioneers
Doug Brown (VYPE)
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE 2026 VYPE HOUSTON VOLLEYBALL MAGAZINE
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE PHOTOS FROM THE 2026 CITYWIDE PHOTOSHOOT
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE DIGITAL MAGAZINE
...
1. St. John's School Mavericks
The Mavericks fulfilled their destiny last November, turning a 26-15 campaign into an SPC 4A championship run capped by a 3-1 win over Episcopal—the program’s first since 2018. Now, the title defense begins for head coach Shelbi Irvin and company. St. John’s School still features one of the most explosive and relentless offenses in the private school ranks, spearheaded by Jacey Carroll on the outside. Recently committed to Washington University in St. Louis, she amassed nearly 600 kills and 300 digs a year ago, earning All-SPC honors for her efforts. Fellow senior and All-SPC selection Olivia Landahl, an NYU commit, also returns after totaling just under 1,000 assists in her junior year. She’ll be complemented by junior setter Macie Chase, while junior DS Sammie Berzin anchors the defensive side after posting 382 digs in 2025. Outside hitter Alice Engelbrink will operate opposite Carroll in a larger role, joined by rising sophomore Lidia Rajevac, who offers flexibility across the floor.
2. Lutheran South Academy Pioneers
LSA enters 2026 with unfinished business. The Pioneers authored a remarkable 31-win campaign a year ago, advancing all the way to the TAPPS 5A State Championship match before falling just short of the ultimate goal. However, Lutheran South Academy welcomes back plenty of star power and should be squarely in the mix once again. Head coach Geoff Stresman steps into his 21st season at the helm and brings 426 career victories into the fall. Among the six returning starters is Georgia Tech commit Addison Musgrove, one of the state’s most dynamic players. The first-team all-state selection stuffed the stat sheet in 2025 with 607 assists, 361 kills and 110 aces, earning recognition on both the GHVCA Postseason Team and AVCA Phenom List. The Pioneers also welcome back second-team all-state libero Charlie Marisco, who anchored the back row with 449 digs. Additional contributors expected to play significant roles include Addison Wilson (Jr. DS), Eli Wittman (Jr. DS), Julia Carpentier (Sr. DS), Hallie Garner (Sr. MB) and Megan Schwanbeck (Jr. OH).
3. The John Cooper School Dragons
The John Cooper School enters the fall under new leadership, with Taylor McColskey taking the reins of a Dragons unit that continues to trend upward. A significant hire, McColskey brings an impressive collegiate background with stops at the University of Houston, Mississippi State, and Georgia Tech, now translating that experience to an emerging SPC contender. The Dragons finished 24-7 in 2025 and placed as the SPC 3A runner-up. JCS is set to return six starters from that group, headlined by rising junior libero Morgan Nesloney, an instrumental defensive presence who recently committed to Rice. On the outside, sophomore Riley Gottsman anchors one of the pins after earning All-SPC honors alongside Nesloney. Fellow sophomores Reagan Cooksen, Dylan Wilson, and Allanah Maimone bolster the offense, while junior Mary George provides the catalyst at setter. According to McColskey, the key to success in 2026 will be continuing to develop last season’s young core while adjusting to a new system.
4. Concordia Lutheran Crusaders
Under head coach Kim Odinga, the Crusaders continued their ascent with a 31-17 record and a trip to the Regional round of the last year’s TAPPS 6A playoff brackets. State contention remains the standard at Concordia Lutheran, and rest assured the Crusaders have every intention of reentering the conversation. Senior setter Adrienne Deleon is back to ignite the spark for CLHS, coming off a season in which she garnered first-team all-state distinction. She’ll be tasked with feeding junior Raegan Odinga and sophomore Ashley Blaine, both second-team all-state picks who power the squad’s attack. Seniors Gracie Hedden (second-team all-district) and Izzy Adcock provide additional offensive support for coach Odinga, while fellow senior Cadyn Albers, also a second-team all-district selection, stabilizes the defense.
5. Fort Bend Christian Academy Eagles
Now that a culture shift has officially taken hold within the FBCA volleyball unit, led by first-year head coach Dana Bass, the Eagles can turn their focus back to business. The group finished 28-12 last season, advancing to the Regional stage of the TAPPS 5A bracket. Fortunately for Bass, Fort Bend Christian wields much of the same explosive rotation, as she takes the reins in her inaugural season at the helm. Senior Tanner Tell, an Arkansas–Pine Bluff commit, returns on the outside after finishing just shy of 400 kills en route to first-team all-state honors. She’ll be joined by junior Madison Jinks (San Jose State commit), who added 220 kills and earned first-team all-district recognition of her own. In the middle, senior Gabi James (second-team all-district) anchors the front line, while second-team juniors Addi Crist and Juliet DeMarr add versatility and depth to a dynamic attack, capable of shifting into multiple roles as needed. “Blending new athletes into the FBCA volleyball unit under new leadership requires a Christ-centered approach focused on relationships, clear communication of our philosophy, and intentional mentoring that develops both skill and spiritual leadership,” Bass said. The Eagles will compete under the “One Team One Goal” motto in 2026, with the ultimate aim of winning a TAPPS State Championship.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE 2026 VYPE HOUSTON VOLLEYBALL MAGAZINE
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE PHOTOS FROM THE 2026 CITYWIDE PHOTOSHOOT
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE DIGITAL MAGAZINE
GAMES
Join the #VYPETEAM
Get up to date news from all over the country!
