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PLAYOFF PREVIEW: Sunnyvale vs. Aubrey volleyball
It's time for the regional semifinals in the Texas high school volleyball playoffs. As area teams gear up to face each other, VYPE DFW is taking a look at some squads fans should keep their eyes peeled on. Sunnyvale and Aubrey are two teams set to face off on Friday for an intense battle. We dive into what fans can expect below:
Sunnyvale Raiders (34-7, 12-0)
Taking the season by storm, Sunnyvale has had a no-quit attitude from the very beginning of their season. Shutting out 15 of their 22 non-district opponents, the Lady Raiders posted a 22-7 non-district record with victories over the likes of Kaufman, Scurry-Rosser, Mount Vernon, North Forney, Rains, Sanger, and more. Sharpening their athletes' ability on the court proved to be beneficial as they worked toward their district schedule.
Once in district, Leah Devaraj, Chiora Enyinna, Anna Mitchell, Keila Sanger, Sophia Edwards, Savannah Bryan, Hillary McMahan, and other Sunnyvale athletes put an incredible effort into securing victories week after week. Finishing at the top of their district standings, Sunnyvale went undefeated in district play with victories over Community, Kaufman, Ford, Willis Point, Caddo Mills, and more. Outscoring their opponents 36-3 in sets throughout district play, Sunnyvale has had everything to celebrate already this season. Through the playoffs so far, the team has defeated Pinkston, North Lamar, and Brownsboro.
Aubrey Chaparrals (37-10, 9-2)
With several big moments through non-district play, Aubrey opened their season with a five-match win streak. Defeating tough opponents like Lancaster, Eastern Hills, Gunter, Cedar Creek, London, and others, Aubrey utilized their non-district schedule to prep for tough district opponents this season. The team carried their success into district play behind talented athletes like Shelby Ball, Kynadi Hall, Abby Wright, Gracie Michael, Annaleise Sevier, Olivia Starr, Bijou Duff, and others.
Finishing second in their district standings, the Lady Chaps posted huge victories over Panther Creek, Anna, Van Alstyne, Ranchview, and others. With tough moments, the team proved their ability to be resilient on the court; taking advantage of every moment given to them. So far through playoffs, the team has sent home several opponents including OCFFA, Godley, and Panther Creek.
What To Expect
Both of these teams have strong outings on the court. With a high IQ for the game and high-quality leadership, these teams can be expected to come out ready to take the victory on Friday night. Looking to secure another week of playtime, fans of both of these teams can expect high energy and focus on the court. These teams are geared up for a battle and you can expect to see back-and-forth big plays during this match-up.
The match is set to begin at 8 p.m. at Mesquite Poteet High School.
GAME PREVIEW: Aubrey travels to Gainesville
In their second district game of the season, Aubrey is traveling to Gainesville to face off against a tough Leopards squad. Both teams are looking to secure a second district victory on Friday night. VYPE DFW dives into their seasons so far:
Aubrey Chaparrals (1-4, 1-0)
Aubrey had a tough time in non-district play as they faced off against tough opponents like Sunnyvale, Anna, and Frisco Panther Creek. With a forfeit against Arlington Seguin, the team went 0-4 through their non-district matchups. Battling through intense moments on the field, the Chaparrals learned to overcome challenges and enter district play ready to get the job done.
As the team entered district play last week, they hosted Bridgeport in a 49-9 victory. Led by Emerson Cagle, Dylan Brooks, Alex Osterman, Landon Martino, Xavier McCoy, Tyler Brown, and others, Aubrey is looking to continue their strong effort in district play on Friday night in Gainesville.
Gainesville Leopards (4-1, 1-0)
Gainesville is having a strong season so far. Their only loss came in a hard-fought 21-20 battle against Vernon in a week two home opener. Through non-district play, the Leopards posted big wins against Trinity Leadership (48-20), Dallas Hillcrest (28-21), and Denton (51-47) to set the tone for their season.
Entering district play, Gainesville went on the road and fought against Sanger. Outlasting Sanger, Gainesville posted a 45-31 victory in which the offense recorded over 320 rushing yards in the game. Led by Ladanian White, Cade Searcy, Payton Mathews, London Daniels, Marcus Murphy, and others, this offense is ready to battle on Friday night in front of a home crowd.
What To Expect
Last season, Aubrey defeated Gainesville in a 63-6 dominating fashion during their undefeated district run (6-0). Looking to improve their record this season, the Chaparrals will do whatever it takes to overpower Gainesville right out of the gate. Gainesville has had incredible game IQ this season- a defense that knows how to make timely stops paired with an offense that moves with a purpose just might have what it takes to finish the job against Aubrey.
Kick-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. on Friday, September 29th at Gainesville High School.