The south Houston area is loaded with talented athletes who give it their all in their respective fields of play.
Welcome to the VYPE Playmakers powered by UTMB Health, where we’re highlighting five standouts from the previous week who stole the headlines.
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Week, as the Houston volleyball season begins to heat up.
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Olivia Jones, Clear Creek Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Clear Creek Volleyball
Similar to their district rivals -- Clear Springs -- the Wildcats have also had their fair share of success to kick off the 2023 season.
Having led her team to a 7-3 start, the impact that junior Olivia Jones has on the court is becoming painfully evident for the opposition. Jones currently leads the Clear Creek team in kills, with 90, while recording nearly 100 digs from the outside-hitter position.
After finishing second in the district a year ago, Jones will certainly be key figure in the Wildcats’ effort to reclaim the district crown.
Kirra Musgrove, Lutheran South Academy Volleyball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
LSA was narrowly defeated by district rival FBCA in last year’s TAPPS-5A State Semifinals, which has made the Pioneers volleyball program more determined than ever to provide a swift rebuttal.
To start off the new school year, Lutheran South has proceeded to dominate opponents (6-1 start) to make it clear that they mean business.
As expected, the linchpin for the Pioneers has been junior setter Kirra Musgrove (Texas A&M-commit), who is coming off an extraordinary 2022 campaign which saw her become a first-team all-state selection. She currently leads the team in kills (40) and will serve as the LSA powerhouse moving forward.
Anzley Rinard, Clear Springs Volleyball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The Chargers have begun the Fall season like they were shot out of a cannon. Through the various tournament matchups they’ve faced, Clear Springs has emerged relatively unscathed with a record of 8-2.
This is, in no small part, due to the efforts of senior OH Anzley Rinard. While her teammate, Ashley Richardson (Sr. S) has been tremendous, it is Rinard who has ignited the charge for Clear Springs. In just 10 matches, Rinard has already accumulated nearly 100 kills to start the season.
After earning first-team all-district honors in 2022, it would seem that the best is yet to come for this senior Charger.
Averie Tracy, Clear Falls Volleyball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The Knights volleyball program experienced its fair share of ups and downs in 2022, but still managed to finish the season in fourth place among a crowded district.
Now that the team has had time to progress, coach Alison Williams will look to her veterans to help lead Clear Falls to an even greater level. That’s where senior MB Averie Tracy comes in.
While there is some younger star power on the squad, it will be Tracy’s duty to set the example. With her tall frame and adept timing at the net, it won’t be an unreachable goal in the slightest.
Annie Cathey, Clear Lake Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
The Falcons have begun the new season with some close defeats in tournaments, to kick off the year with a record of 3-5.
However, the primary reason these matchups have been as close as they have can be attributed to the performance of Lamar-commit Annie Cathey.
As it stands, the senior middle-blocker leads the team in kills and receptions, and will likely continue to do so as Clear Lake contends for a playoff spot once district competition begins in September.