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2023-24 Baytown Sterling Volleyball
‘F.A.M.I.L.Y’: Southall, Baytown Sterling bouncing back in district
“They just started playing like a family,” said Southall. “It took a little while to establish the chemistry, since we’ve dealt with various injuries during the preseason and regular season, so our first district game was the first time we had everyone healthy and back together.”
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“It took that aspect for us to figure out who we are. I think going into each game, we’ve just gotten stronger, and they’ve been working for each other.”
Said injuries included one the Baytown team’s stars, 2022 District 17-5A Offensive MVP, Katy Barger (Sr. OH). This has given several other key pieces the opportunity to step up.
Sterling's Katy BargerBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“Katy (Barger) had been out for three weeks at one point,” Southall said. “However, when she got back, you know she’s a playmaker, so she definitely has had a huge impact on our team. In her absence, Bailee Payne (Sr. OH) has helped carry the team on several occasions.”
“But, I think in all actuality, most of the team has stepped up in their own way. Our setters, Kennedy Birdsell (Sr.) and Kyilee Whittington (Jr.), are key elements and are the driving forces of our team. Our defense relies heavily on Karmyn Hebert (Sr. L) and Briana Galvan (Sr. DS), so it’s really been a total team effort all the way through.”
As Sterling prepares for round two in the district race, they’ll have to contend with other powers such as Barbers Hill and Nederland.
Bailee Payne
“Going into the second round, it’s going to take some adjusting. There were some moments where we had some unforced errors the first time through district, but we’re more familiar with our opponents now. If and when we show up, I think it’s going to be a better time around for us.”
Given that fact, what will it take for Southall-Burkhalter and the Rangers to keep this momentum going?
“Honestly, it’s just going to be about maintaining our focus on one point at a time,” she said. “We can’t look too far in advance, we just need to be where our feet are. That’s the goal for the whole second half.”
“Our motto for the season, if you will, has been the acronym ‘F.A.M.I.L.Y.’ which means ‘Forget About Me, I Love You,’ which will continue to be our mindset moving forward, as we look for a spot in the playoffs.”
Stick around. Something tells us that this is only the beginning for Baytown Sterling.
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Cypress Ranch Vollyball
ROUND TWO: Exciting Developments in Updated VB Rankings
In Class 5A, the highly-anticipated divisional matchup between Fulshear and Foster resulted in the Chargers taking a firm grasp of first place in Lamar Consolidated ISD. Barbers Hill and Friendswood still remain in top spots with each team maintaining their monstrous momentum. Furthermore, there have been new developments in the rankings, as Baytown Sterling topples GCM which extends their record over .500.
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THE VYPE RANKINGS
Class 6A Top 20 (Numbers in parentheses indicate current record)
1. Grand Oaks Grizzlies (36-1; 10-0 in district)
2. Cinco Ranch Cougars (26-5; 10-0 in district)
3. Stratford Spartans (30-6; 7-0 in district)
4. Cypress Ranch Mustangs (26-5; 7-0 in district)
5. Pearland Dawson Eagles (28-8; 5-0 in district)
6. Langham Creek Lobos (28-8; 6-1 in district)
7. Deer Park Deer (26-9; 6-0 in district)
8. Tomball Memorial Wildcats (29-8; 7-0 in district)
9. Pearland Oilers (27-10; 5-1 in district)
10. Katy Tompkins Falcons (21-9; 8-2 in district)
11. College Park Cavaliers (19-7; 8-2 in district)
12. The Woodlands Highlanders (26-13; 8-2 in district)
13. Clear Springs Chargers (24-12; 6-0 in district)
14. Ridge Point Panthers (24-13; 9-1 in district)
15. Fort Bend Austin Bulldogs (22-14; 8-2 in district)
16. Seven Lakes Spartans (20-13; 7-2 in district)
17. Bridgeland Bears (21-11; 5-2 in district)
18. Atascocita Eagles (20-10; 7-0 in district)
19. Katy Jordan Warriors (23-11; 6-3 in district)
20. George Ranch Longhorns (20-14; 8-2 in district)
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Ridge Point Panthers
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Class 5A Top 10
1. Barbers Hill Eagles (30-7; 7-0 in district)
2. Friendswood Mustangs (19-9; 6-0 in district)
3. Fulshear Chargers (26-4; 6-0 in district)
4. Foster Falcons (24-8; 6-1 in district)
5. Baytown Sterling Rangers (15-13; 5-2 in district)
6. Goose Creek Memorial Patriots (21-11; 5-2 in district)
7. Magnolia Bulldogs (17-14; 4-3 in district)
8. Lake Creek Lions (15-19; 4-3 in district)
9. Montgomery Bears (22-15; 2-5 in district)
10. Galveston Ball Tornadoes (22-12; 2-4 in district)
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Private School Top 10
1. Fort Bend Christian Academy Eagles (22-3; 6-0 in district)
2. Lutheran South Academy Pioneers (30-7; 7-1 in district)
3. Episcopal Knights (24-9; 2-0 in district)
4. Concordia Lutheran Crusaders (29-11; 4-1 in district)
5. St. John's Mavericks (17-8; 5-0 in district)
6. Rosehill Christian Eagles (18-8; 7-0 in district)
7. The John Cooper School Dragons (16-6; 2-0 in district)
8. Legacy Prep Lions (21-3-4; 2-0 in district)
9. Kinkaid School Falcons (8-9; 2-2 in district)
10. St. John XXIII Lions (11-15; 2-2 in district)