GAMES
RANKINGS
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
VYPE Austin Softball Scene: 2020 UIL, TAPPS & SPC Teams To Watch
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Austin High had a remarkable run to the 2019 UIL 6A Region IV final and its six returning starters will contribute to another successful season in 2020. The Maroons also expect big things from Jayda Lafluer, Natalie Guerrero, Natalie Davis, Lexie Aleman and Karina Serna.
Elgin finished the 2019 season as a UIL 5A Region III area round finalist, but returners Kiana Gibson, Emma Neidig and Morgan Heine plan to achieve more in 2020.
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Cedar Park is coming off a UIL 5A Region III bi-district finish in 2019, and the return of Katy Kahlich and Reagan Hillis can produce another playoff run in the 2020 season.
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Lake Travis has a motivated group of players and coaches after it missed the 2019 UIL 6A softball postseason. Expect Emma Craver, Paige Connors and Jami Watson to have major roles in returning the Cavaliers to their normal form in 2020.
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Along with the teams mentioned above, also keep an eye on Leander, Austin Bowie, Georgetown East View, Pflugerville Weiss, Hays, Round Rock Cedar Ridge, Round Rock and Pflugerville Hendrickson in the UIL 5A and 6A playoff races.
In small school public school action, Thorndale remains a team on everybody's radar. The Lady Dogs lost a heartbreaking extra inning UIL 2A state championship game to fellow Central Texas program Crawford in 2019, so notable players Riley White, Jayci Martinka and Katelyn Casey are motivated to continue their program's tradition in 2020.
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Bartlett marched to the UIL 1A Region IV final during the 2019 season and have the necessary players back in Andrea Rivera, Jasmin Fletcher and Jana Nowinsky to make more noise in the 2020 campaign.
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Thrall advanced to the UIL 2A bi-district round in 2019 and can surpass that with returning talents Addison Leschber, Jessie Cole and Aubrie Henderson in 2020.
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Other small school playoff contenders include Fredericksburg, Giddings, La Grange, Schulenburg, Liberty Hill, Blanco and Salado.
In private school action, Brentwood Christian School will be a threat in TAPPS because of the return of junior Aurora Tyson. Other area competitors include Round Rock Concordia, Hyde Park, Austin St. Dominic Savio Catholic, Hill Country Christian School of Austin, Round Rock Christian Academy, San Marcos Hill Country Christian School, Texas School For The Deaf and Faith Academy of Marble Falls.
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The local SPC race will be a fight to the finish. Austin St. Andrew's Episcopal School will be in the mix for a SPC tournament appearance because of its deep roster, which includes Daniela Youngberg, Ana Castillo, Caroline Martineau, Mia Tobias, Jordan Kappler and Anna Jackson. A rivalry win against Austin St. Stephen's Episcopal School will also go a long way in achieving that goal.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
For more sports coverage, follow Thomas (@Texan8thGen) and VYPE (@VYPEATX) on Twitter.
Looking to get more involved? Check out ShopVYPE for fresh gear that supports local schools and the VYPE U Ambassador Program. To sign up for the VYPE U Program, apply at VYPEU.com.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
VYPE Austin Girls Soccer Scene: 2020 UIL, TAPPS & SPC Teams To Watch
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
If the Cavs outmatch their rival and make a return trip to the season's final weekend, they could face Austin Vandegrift or Round Rock, two UIL 13-6A teams that advanced to a Region II semifinal in 2019.
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In UIL 5A, keep an eye on Dripping Springs because the Tigers marched to the classification's state semifinal round in 2019. Emma Jones and Sofia Picucci are two of the players that will guide them through Region IV and help them contend for a better finish in 2020.
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Dripping Springs will battle 2019 area round finalist Austin McCallum and 2019 bi-district finisher Lockhart in UIL 25-5A district play, but will also keep an eye on 2019 Region III finalist Pflugerville and state final four host Georgetown.
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UIL 4A may be the state's smallest public school soccer classification, but that doesn't take away from the talent and excitement in it. Liberty Hill led the area charge with a trip to the classification final in the 2019 season and will be in the mix for a third straight state final four appearance in 2020, but Wimberley can also act as a road block for the Panthers this spring. The Texans are out for revenge after Liberty Hill defeated them 2-0 in the 2019 UIL 4A Region IV final and 2-0 in the 2018 UIL 4A Region IV area round. If they surround Casey Crawford and Holly Harwood with the necessary support, you could see a similar outing as their 2-0 win against Liberty Hill in the 2017 UIL 4A Region IV quarterfinal set up a run to the 2020 state final four.
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But, don't forget about Manor New Tech. It's classified as a UIL 3A school for most activities, but overcame odds to record a UIL 4A Region IV bi-district finish in its inaugural varsity soccer season. Expect Bailey Tisdale and Victoria Moreno to keep the Titans in contention for their first playoff win in 2020.
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In TAPPS, Regents School of Austin is a team to watch in the higher classifications because it is a power in a lot of sports. Ava Ingram and Kacie Flanakin are two of the players that will add to the Knights' athletic history in 2020.
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In the league's smaller classifications, the return of Ariel Nevarez makes Austin San Juan Diego Catholic a can't miss team in 2020.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
In SPC, the expectation is to get both Austin members to the end of the year championship tournament like the 2019 season. St. Andrew's Episcopal School has the necessary trio in Daniela Youngberg, Georgia Northway and Sidney Marsh to surpass last year's first round appearance, and St. Stephen's Episcopal School is coming off a quarterfinal finish.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
For more sports coverage, follow Thomas (@Texan8thGen) and VYPE (@VYPEATX) on Twitter.
Looking to get more involved? Check out ShopVYPE for fresh gear that supports local schools and the VYPE U Ambassador Program. To sign up for the VYPE U Program, apply at VYPEU.com.