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THE PINNACLE: UIL Volleyball State Final Preview -- Cedar Park vs. Wakeland (5A-D2)
What a year it has been for Cedar Park.
After being eliminated in the foundational rounds of the playoffs over the past few seasons, the Timberwolves (34-15) now see themselves in the UIL State Final for the first time since 2016.
This feat was accomplished on the heels of their 3-1 victory over fellow Austin-area contender Georgetown earlier this week, and there are plenty of flowers to distribute among head coach Lori McLaughlin, her staff, and, of course, the players who made it happen.
Offensive production has been in ample supply, thanks to the efforts of Joy Udoye (571 kills, 349 digs), Mya Cheatum (391 kills), and Sofia Peters (380 kills, 111 blocks).
However, that's not to dismiss the help they've received from the back-line, which is bolstered by the talents of Katelyn Hughes (712 assists, 374 digs), Anna Kurz (447 digs, 134 assists), Sibley Oster (652 assists), and freshman Blake Gilkey (449 receptions, 241 digs).
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On the other side of the net, out of Frisco, TX, Wakeland is making their UIL State Final-debut, following their five-set win against Argyle on Tuesday night.
Given the point they're currently at, the Wolverines (34-6) -- under the direction of coach U'iLani Womble -- are obviously in the midst of the finest performance the program has ever seen.
The No. 12-ranked (No. 22, nationally) team in Texas, according to MaxPreps, is firing on all cylinders at this moment.
Considering that volleyball is a team sport, it's only natural that numerous individuals should receive some praise for this feat.
LSU-commit Hannah Lee (459 kills), and seniors Bella Wood (Sam Houston State // 382 kills) and Sarah Pfiffner (West Virginia // 774 assists, 262 kills, 331 digs) make up the three-headed monster for Wakeland, in terms of star-power.
They're complemented by the talents of Aubree Fernandez (659 digs), Jaleah Bauss (518 assists), and Emerson Jones (68 blocks), which makes them a well-rounded rotation worth fearing.
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This will be undoubtedly be a State match worth watching. Don't miss out when they go head-to-head Saturday (12:00 pm) at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, TX.
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THE POWER RANKINGS: Dripping Springs ends regular season atop the rankings
The 2024 Texas high school volleyball regular season is in the books. Teams played one last district match last Tuesday, there were a smattering of seeding or playoff warm-up matches, and that was it.
District 26-6A Champion Dripping Springs cemented its spot as “regular season champions,” turning away a game Austin High squad in four tight sets to sweep their season series. Since the Maroons hung so tough twice with the Tigers and also held off Johnson twice earlier in the season, they finished #2 and #3 on the podium in our poll. Wimberley cruised to fourth place and 25-6A champ Vandegrift rounds out the Top 5.
Everyone in 6h through 10th stayed where they were last week. And it almost even makes sense. Cedar Park beat Liberty Hill in two very close matches; the Lady Panthers did the same thing to Georgetown, who held off Weiss in their seeding match to claim a district title. Round Rock held serve to remain in the rankings.
So, as the dust settles on the regular season, here’s a look at our final Top 10 of 2024. Even as you read this, the playoffs are under way. All the discussion and debate give way to real results as the best high school volleyball teams in Texas will settle it all themselves on the court.
Just as it should be.
VYPE's Public School Volleyball Rankings
1. (1) Dripping Springs Tigers (6A) -- 45-2 (W 3-1 v. Austin High, swept Gran Oaks)
2. (2) Austin High Maroons (6A) -- 39-6 (L 3-1 v. Dripping Springs)
3. (3) Buda Johnson Jaguars (6A) – 38-6 (swept Steele)
4. (4) Wimberley Texans (4A) – 36-3 (swept Canyon Lake)
5. (5) Vandegrift Vipers (6A) – 29-14 (swept Vista Ridge)
6. (6) Cedar Park Timberwolves (5A) – 29-15 (swept Rouse)
7. (8) Liberty Hill Panthers (5A) – 38-8 (swept Lockhart, L 3-2 vs. Vista Ridge)
8. (10) Georgetown Eagles (5A) – 39-8 (swept Pflugerville, W 3-1 vs. Weiss)
9. (9) Round Rock Dragons (6A) – 32-14 (swept Cedar Ridge)
10. (10) Weiss Wolves (5A) – 37-11 (swept Connally, L 3-1 @ Georgetown)