Join our talented VYPE Live crew for this Texas High School Volleyball match-up on Tuesday, October 6:
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Join our talented VYPE Live crew for this Texas High School Volleyball match-up on Tuesday, October 6:
The Woodlands, led by Terri Wade, has been to the Regional Tournament for 10-straight years. Yes, you read that right. For a solid decade, the standard at TWHS is reaching at least the fourth round of the playoffs.
In 2021, the Highlanders reached the Regional Finals for the first time since 2017.
Now, can they take the next step and return to the State Tournament for the first time since 2017?
Leading the 41-8 Highlanders a year ago was Claire Dewine (Colgate- commit), who enters her senior season. She led the team with 432 kills, second in assists (687), third in digs (426) and chipped in 76 blocks.
Sophomore Ella Lewis had a nice debut, finishing third on the team with 403 kills. Marjorie Johnson returns after racking up a team-leading 129 blocks.
Olivia Chojnacki returns as the team leader in assists with 717 and chipped in 290 digs. University of Kentucky-commit Molly Tuozzo had 259 digs in 2021.
Layne Bulow, FBCA
Every single year, VYPE puts together a list of the best of the best around the Houston area. And 2022 is no different. It is time to introduce you to the 2022 Preseason All-VYPE Private School Volleyball Team.
Preseason Player of the Year: Layne Bulow, FBCA
Preseason Hitter of the Year: Bayleigh Minor, FBCA
Preseason Setter of the Year: Lauren Wolford, John Cooper School
Preseason Utility Player of the Year: Kirra Musgrove, Lutheran South Academy
Outside Hitter
Jordan Booth, TWCA
Alexis Bodunrin, Frassati Catholic
Piper Stephenson, St. Agnes Academy
Setter
Ariel Francis, St. Agnes Academy
Shea Stone, FBCA
Middle
Ava Harrington, Episcopal
DS/Libero
Taylor Crain, Lutheran South Academy
Utility
Katherine Nelson, Lutheran South Academy
Outside Hitter
Madi Hobbs, Second Baptist School
NiMya Maruska, St. Agnes Academy
Mykayla McMillian, Episcopal
Setter
Keely McNeil, Rosehill Christian
Katie Wise, TWCA
Middle
Grace Morton, St. Agnes Academy
DS/Libero
Utility
Margot Manning, St. John’s
Stephanie Colson.
Mere weeks after competing for the Italian national team in the women’s lacrosse world championships, Stephanie Colson is ready for a new challenge as coach of Episcopal’s girls lacrosse team.
The former NCAA Division III national player of the year and two-time national champion comes to Houston from St. Swithun’s School in England, where she taught and coached following a distinguished playing career at Gettysburg College.
“Everything I heard about (Episcopal), everyone I talked to … the job itself, the role I’m going to be in … it all just checked all my boxes and more,” Colson said. “I’m excited about this program and to grow it as needs to be grown, but I’m also excited about the people I’m going to be working with. The school seems amazing. It’s far from home but I had to go for it. It’s too good of an opportunity.”
Colson grew up in Westminster, Maryland, a lacrosse hotspot. Her mother and three sisters also played lacrosse in college.
At Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, Colson helped lead the Bullets to consecutive national titles in 2017 and 2018. She was named the DIII national player of the year and national tournament most valuable player in 2018.
After the 2017 season, Colson was featured in Sports Illustrated’s June 26 issue in the magazine’s “Faces in the Crowd” section after scoring two goals, including the game-winner, in Gettysburg’s 6-5 championship win over The College of New Jersey.
Colson, who graduated from Gettysburg in 2019, recently wrapped up play for the Italian national team in June, scoring 24 goals in seven games.
“I started playing lacrosse after I started playing soccer, and I loved soccer,” Colson said. “But lacrosse is a very intellectual game, and that really attracted me to it. While you have to be super athletic and shifty and be able to play both sides of the ball, you have to think and be really gritty. I think it’s so much fun to fight for every ground ball. Being a midfielder, I loved being able to have an impact on the entire field.”
Colson talked more with VYPE:
VYPE: What are some of the virtues you will harp on at Episcopal?
COLSON: Winning is important but it’s not everything. I was in their shoes once, and the really important thing is to enjoy your time. On top of winning and just growing the skills and the game, I really want to make sure they’re having the best couple of months playing lacrosse for their school.
VYPE: What are some of the things you feel are important in building a good player?
COLSON: I’m a firm believer that you have to be competitive, and you have to be fighting every single second of the game. Nothing’s over until the whistle blows. I’ve always been a big believer in that small things win games and championships. Getting the ground balls, a good slide on defense. I really want us to celebrate the small things that add up to the big things. That makes a huge difference in terms of mindset and culture.
VYPE: What are your early impressions of the lacrosse community at Episcopal?
COLSON: It’s not as big as it is in Maryland, which I knew, but I think that makes it really exciting. It makes me even more so want to get involved. I’m so excited to see how it goes. I talked to the previous coach, and she told me how the girls are dedicated, they want to learn, they want to play. I can’t wait to get started.
VYPE: Is there a nervousness or anxiety when you’re coming to a new place and building a sport like lacrosse here?
COLSON: Definitely. There is a little bit of pressure that goes with it. Being new, I’m not 100 percent sure what to expect. That adds to the anxiety. But I have a lot of support in Houston. I have a lot of people I can rely on to talk to and ask questions. I think that alleviates a lot of the stress. I’m always down for a new adventure, something that’s exciting and a challenge. I’m ready.
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