TRENDING
GAMES
RANKINGS
Friendswood's Nadi'ya Shelby (Florida-signee)
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
THE PLAYMAKERS: Southside VB's Aura Farmers // Powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Volleyball Athletes of 2025, highlighting some of South Houston's most prominent performers of the Fall.
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Caylee Young -- Clear Springs Volleyball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Clear Springs was one of the hottest teams in H-Town this season, and a clear reason for that surge stemmed from the play of Caylee Young. The junior pin hitter’s blend of precision and power consistently elevated the Chargers’ ceiling, giving them a dependable offensive catalyst in every matchup.
CSHS ultimately ran into Dawson in the Area Round — a squad now bound for the UIL 6A-DI State Final — which brought an end to an otherwise impressive campaign. Still, head coach Shannon McClellan’s group closed the year at 35-11, securing a fourth consecutive district championship in the process.
Individually, Young delivered one of the region’s top two-way seasons, finishing with 518 kills, 383 digs, and 728 serve receptions – a superb stat-line that ultimately earned the Texas Tech-commit District 24-6A MVP honors.
With the exception of imminent senior graduates like Lianna Kearns (24-6A Co-Defensive Player of the Year), the vast majority of standouts for Clear Springs are presumed to return next fall. With Young back as the centerpiece, this team is only just getting started.
Avery Koonsen -- Dawson Volleyball
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
Dawson was already a perennial regional contender prior to the arrival of senior Avery Koonsen. When factoring in her addition from the outside pin, it makes total sense as to how the program has stood on business and ascended to new heights in 2025.
The team’s refusal to back down was demonstrated perfectly in the club’s monumental battle against O’Connor this past Saturday at the Delmar Fieldhouse. After five sets, the Eagles not only earned some payback against the Panthers — who were the last team to defeat them all the way back in August — but also extended the program’s historic campaign by securing a spot in the 6A-D1 State Final.
On the stat sheet, Koonsen has built a near-irrefutable case for District 22-6A MVP honors, with well over 500 kills and 300 digs to her name this season. More importantly, the soon-to-be SFA Lumberjack could potentially help Dawson secure a title in a highly anticipated matchup with Byron Nelson this Saturday.
Nadi'ya Shelby -- Friendswood Volleyball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Friendswood’s pursuit of its first championship since 1994 was unfortunately cut short by Cedar Park this past weekend. Still, a 37–10 finish and the program’s 11th appearance in the UIL State Final Four speak volumes about the consistency and structure established by head coach Sarah Paulk and her staff.
A central reason for that reliability has been clear for years. Across four seasons, Nadi’ya Shelby has remained one of the most genuinely entertaining and gifted volleyball players in Texas — much less Houston — anchoring Friendswood’s identity with her presence on the outside.
By season’s end, Shelby delivered 509 kills, 207 digs, and 398 serve receptions, once again proving to be the Mustangs’ metronome in high-pressure moments. Another District MVP selection was just announced for the Florida-signee, which marks the third consecutive time she's received the distinction -- further cementing her place as one of the program’s all-time greats.
Aniston Collins -- Lutheran South Academy Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
It’s safe to say no team was quite as commanding as LSA (31–8) on Houston’s private-school scene this fall. The Geoff Stresman-led Pioneers validated their preseason No. 1 ranking by steamrolling their way to the TAPPS 5A State Final — the program’s fifth appearance all-time and first since 2023.
And while All Saints Episcopal ultimately denied them the crown, Lutheran South more than earned its share of recognition throughout a dominant campaign.
Among the playmakers who powered that run, senior Aniston Collins’ influence was perhaps the most palpable.
In addition to securing TAPPS All-Tournament honors, another all-state nod is essentially assured for LSA’s dynamic setter. The SFA-signee closed out 2025 with a team-leading 388 kills, supported by 498 assists and 203 digs — a stat line that reflects both her versatility and her central role in the Pioneers’ system.
Even if the season didn’t end the way they envisioned, it’s hard to argue against how loaded this group was — and just how vital Collins proved to be in getting them back onto the State stage.
Peyton Aldridge -- Clear Lake Volleyball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
What a monumental year it was for Clear Lake. Not only did the Falcons (29–16) end a five-year playoff drought, but they followed it by knocking off Goose Creek Memorial and Shadow Creek en route to the 6A-D2 Regional Semifinals.
That kind of precedent doesn’t materialize without a fortified sense of cohesion — and without dependable talent steering things on the court. For Clear Lake, senior setter Peyton Aldridge was at the center of that push, assuming a starring role throughout the campaign and elevating the Falcons’ ceiling week after week.
Aldridge helped unlock the team’s offense in full, eclipsing 1,000 assists and 400 digs this fall, production that earned her first-team, all-district honors and underscored her value as the group’s primary orchestrator. And while she’ll graduate at year’s end, the new standard she helped establish is an achievement that should continue to shape Clear Lake’s trajectory moving forward.
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Pearland's Ja'Maurey Champion (Sr. RB) celebrates a touchdown vs. Dawson with Jordan Hernandez (Sr. WR)
Photo by: Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
THE PLAYMAKERS: Models of Consistency // Powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Week, who have continued to deliver in the critical moments of the Fall.
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Sean Carter -- Clear Springs Football
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Winners of five straight since a season-opening loss to Ridge Point, Clear Springs has found momentum behind a balanced offense with big-play potential. At the center of that surge is senior wideout Sean Carter, whose efficiency and versatility have helped set the tone.
Through six games, Carter has totaled 514 receiving yards on 21 catches — an average of roughly 86 yards per contest — and scored five touchdowns. He’s also returned a kickoff for a score, making him the Chargers’ leading individual scorer and one of their most dynamic threats in space.
Carter earned second-team, all-district honors as a junior, but his performance this fall suggests a leap forward — not just in production, but in impact. His presence stretches defenses and opens up opportunities across the field, a factor that could be pivotal as the Chargers prepare for a home matchup against Clear Falls.
If he keeps this pace, postseason honors won’t be far behind.
Ja'Maurey Champion -- Pearland Football
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
In a hard-fought 17–13 victory over rival Dawson, senior running back Ja’Maurey Champion delivered when Pearland needed him most. Champion punched in two touchdowns in the 12th annual Pear Bowl — a performance that not only proved decisive but also emblematic of his standout senior campaign.
With the win, Pearland pushed its record to 6–0 on the season, and Champion now sits well above 800 rushing yards with 13 scores. His blend of vision, burst, and toughness continues to anchor the Oilers’ offensive identity, especially behind a consistently productive offensive line.
But Pearland’s unbeaten run has been more than a one-man show. The defense, led by Kansas commit Joseph Credit at linebacker, and senior edge rushers Jaylen Stewart and Amari Wilks — plus junior defensive lineman DeMarco Jenkins — has been just as critical in shaping the team’s success.
With Champion leading the ground game and balance across the board, head coach BJ Gotte’s squad appears built not just to contend — but to last.
Tamarria Mitchell -- Shadow Creek Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Collectively, Shadow Creek has continued to flourish throughout the fall despite the litany of injuries suffered in the early stages. With only a handful of regular-season matches remaining, the Sharks sit comfortably in third place in District 22-6A, holding a 24–14 overall record — including a 9–3 mark in district play.
One of the more notable developments has been the grit and consistency shown by junior outside Tamarria Mitchell. Emerging as this year’s marquee weapon for head coach Whitney Daniel, Mitchell has tallied a whopping 374 kills, 274 digs, and 478 serve receptions in 2025 — showcasing her all-around impact in nearly every phase of play.
While Shadow Creek still needs to maintain its composure through the final stretch, a postseason berth is well within reach. And with Mitchell continuing to set the tone on the court, the Sharks appear poised to make their presence felt when it matters most.
Kaleb Jammer -- Angleton Football
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
At 5–0, Angleton has looked every bit the contender it was billed to be, steamrolling district opponents and positioning itself as a front-runner in 11-5A-D1.
While the scoreboard has tilted heavily in their favor — including dominant wins over Porter and Pasadena — the Wildcats have also shown the kind of offensive depth and defensive discipline that fuels extensive stays in the postseason.
One of the key drivers of that balance has been Kaleb Jammer, whose ability to impact the game in multiple phases has added a multifaceted edge to an already well-rounded squad. After five games, the senior wideout has compiled over 500 all-purpose yards and leads the team with eight touchdowns — a testament to both his efficiency and explosiveness.
Still, the season’s defining moments likely lie ahead. A Halloween showdown at La Porte looms large in the district title race, and with memories of last year’s State Semifinal run still fresh, Angleton’s ambitions remain high — especially with playmakers like Jammer continuing to deliver.
Aniston Collins -- Lutheran South Academy Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Coming off a 2024 campaign in which she earned first-team, all-district honors and an all-state honorable mention, senior Aniston Collins has remained a cornerstone for the Lutheran South Academy program.
While much of the spotlight in recent seasons has centered on standout Kirra Musgrove — now at Texas A&M — and her younger sister, Addison Musgrove (So. OH), Collins has quietly and persistently delivered. That trend has only continued this fall.
A versatile presence who shifts between setter and right side, the senior has backed up her impact with a strong stat line: 353 assists, 244 kills, and 143 digs. Her ability to contribute across the court has been crucial for the Pioneers’ balanced attack.
Before taking her talents to Stephen F. Austin next year, Collins will look to help lead LSA on a postseason run — with a TAPPS 5A State title still very much a possibility.