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 UIL sleepers and dark horses, we take a look at the potential contenders for the UIL.
6A
Flower Mound: Last year's run to the state title was a bit of a surprise to many in the sport, but Flower Mound is reloaded for 2019 to make another run. Five seniors graduated from last year's team but nine are back from last year's roster and capable of repeating, which includes outside hitters Kaylee Cox and Angelique Cyr and libero Sarah Martinez.
Southlake Carroll: Eight seniors graduated from the 2018 regional finalist squad, but that leaves 10 on the roster coming back ready to make a march to its first-ever state crown. Middle blocker Annabelle Smith and outside hitter Natalie Glenn are the leaders on the team and will be leaned on to guide the Dragons in 2019.
Plano West: Like Carroll, Plano West is in search of its first-ever state title, especially following a 40-win campaign a year ago. With six seniors in 2019, including UCLA pledge Iman Ndiaye, DePaul-commit Jill Pressly and Duke pledge Sydney Yap. Plano West also landed a TAPPS state champion in Noelle Piatas, who transferred over from Prestonws
5A
Colleyville Heritage: After getting bounced in the regional finals, Colleyville Heritage is loaded once again to make a much deeper run into the 5A tournament. Nine seniors graduated from last year's 34-win team, but 13 seniors on this year's squad have the experience to propel Heritage through to that State Tournament.
Lucas Lovejoy: All Lovejoy did during the offseason - after finishing as State runner-up and going 47-7 - was replace its head coach with assistant coach Ryan Mitchell, who just so happened to lead Lovejoy to five straight state titles from 2008-2012. Nine seniors graduated from last year's team, but National Freshman of the Year Averi Carlson and junior Cecily Bramschreiber are back to lead the Leopards back to State.
4A
Decatur: Only two players graduated from last year's state championship team, which means Decatur is in prime position to win district and possibly the state title again. The senior leadership is only three deep this year, but there are seven more back on the roster that know what it takes to win state.
Argyle: Argyle only three rounds deep last year after winning district 8-4A and finished the season 28-17, but return 11 from last year's team. This year is set up for Argyle to get back to the State Tournament after falling short of that goal the past two seasons.
