With the summer winding down, that means we're gearing up for the 2019-20 academic year. With the calendar focus shifting means the start of the volleyball season.
Following our look at the private school sleepers and dark horses, it's time to take a look at the 2019 contenders for both the Southwest Preparatory Conference and TAPPS.
SPC
Hockaday: After a 34-win campaign and fourth-place tournament finish in 2018, Hockaday is reloaded and ready to capture the North division crown again and get past the SPC semifinals. With one of the nation's best seniors and All-SPC middle blocker, Leilah Smith, along with Halle Bland, who was another All-SPC selection, Hockaday will be a force this year. The program only graduated four seniors from last year's squad and features seven seniors for this year.
Episcopal Dallas: Just like Hockaday, Episcopal Dallas looks to get to that last match of the year after falling in the SPC semifinals the last two years. Episcopal Dallas will only have two seniors on this year's squad but will also have seven juniors returning from a team that finished second in the North.
TAPPS
6A
Prestonwood Christian: When you win a TAPPS title and you bring back some fundamental pieces from that team, it's safe to say your chances to do it again are pretty high. That's where Prestonwood sits this year after taking the 6A crown last year. The senior duo of Caroline Stogner and Noelle Piatas form one of the best hitting units in the state and have the ability to guide the team back to a state appearance.
Bishop Lynch: Falling to the eventual state champion and district rival in the state semifinals while returning six seniors this year puts Bishop Lynch in great position to make another deep run after a 28-12 campaign. The way to a 6A title this year will be getting over that Prestonwood hurdle - going 0-3 against the Lions last year.
5A
Carrollton Prince of Peace: Prince of Peace was a final four team a year ago after going 19-14 and are well positioned to make another run at the state crown. Prince of Peace brings back seven seniors to this year's team and will be a force to contend with again.
4A
Arlington Grace Prep: Where does a team that cruises to a 4A TAPPS State Championship, finishes 43-6-1, goes undefeated in district play and only graduates three seniors? Most would say down, but it's quite possible that Grace Prep builds on that with three returning seniors and four returning juniors to the 2019 squad.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
