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Dylan Maberry, The Woodlands
Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Poll: VYPE Houston Preseason Outside Hitter of the Year
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VYPE Class 5A Volleyball Preseason Rankings
1) Kingwood Park
Kingwood Park stood tall as the lone state champion from Houston in 2018. The Panthers made their first-ever trip to the UIL State Volleyball Tournament and shocked the land by knocking off Lucas Lovejoy in a sweep. Now, the target is firmly on the back of Kingwood Park heading into 2019. The Panthers do return solid pieces, including senior Libby Overmyer, who was named the 5A State Championship Game MVP. Overmyer (Colgate-commit) finished with a team-leading 391 kills and a second-best 290 digs. FULL TEAM PREVIEW COMING SOON!
2) Friendswood
Kate Bueche, Tori Weatherley, Makensy Manbeck and Ashlyn Svoboda, Friendswood
Lily Cox/VYPE
The move down from Class 6A to 5A really paid dividends for all sports at Friendswood, especially volleyball. The crew led by Sarah Paulk reached the Regional Finals for the first time since 2013 and finished the year with a 33-15 record after falling to eventual state champion Kingwood Park. Being so close to a state tourney berth has lit a fire within the Friendswood returners. The group is led by Ashlyn Svoboda, who was the GHVCA Player of the Year, TGCA All-State selection and District 22-5A MVP as a sophomore. Svoboda recorded 18 double-doubles last season and led the team with 349 kills and 388 digs. Holding down the middle will be Makensy Manbeck (Houston Baptist-commit). FULL TEAM PREVIEW COMING SOON!
3) Santa Fe
Cassi Cruz, Elena Dondonay, Shelby Freudensprung, Teresa Garza, Freedom Stephenson and Kassidy Taves, Santa Fe
Lily Cox / VYPE
For the fourth time in the last five years, Santa Fe reached the Regional Quarterfinals. The Indians hope for a semifinal's appearance ended at the hands of Foster. Gone off that team are the talents of Kylie Verm, who was second on the team in kills, and Jillian Gibbs, who led the team in blocks. Despite those losses, Santa Fe has a talented roster back for 2019. Kassidy Taves will lead the attack after recording a team-leading 302 kills, 294 digs and 63 aces last season. FULL TEAM PREVIEW COMING SOON!
4) Shadow Creek
Halle Sanders, Amber Johnson and Alexis Williams, Shadow Creek
Bradley Collier/VYPE
Since its opening, Shadow Creek has reached the postseason every year. In fact, the Sharks have won a playoff game each season. More history could be made in 2019 as Shadow Creek returns some serious firepower. Back is District 24-5A Newcomer of the Year Alexis Williams, who had 364 kills, 441 assists and 317 digs a year ago and plays all the way around. The Chicago State-commit can play defense as well as set. FULL TEAM PREVIEW COMING SOON!
5) Barbers Hill
Faith Guidry, Kylee Kejonen, Trinity Hennigan and Sarah Lankford, Barbers Hill
Bradley Collier/VYPE
In her first year as a head coach, Kristin Goodman led her Barbers Hill Eagles to an 11-1 district record and the District 21-5A crown. Goodman came over to the eastside after being the lead assistant at Friendswood. The Eagles got off to a slow start in a competitive tournament season, but started to peak in the regular season. The competitive scheduling paid off as Barbers Hill reached the third round before falling to Friendswood. So, what will she do for an encore in year two? FULL TEAM PREVIEW COMING SOON!
6) Manvel
Cecilia Harness, Morgan Smith and Aryn Johnson, Manvel
Lily Cox / VYPE
The Manvel Mavericks look to build on their second-place finish, going 14-2, in District 24-5A and their second-round exit in the postseason (Barbers Hill) a year ago as three game-changers return to the locker room. Coach Susan Kennedy and her squad could make school history if they can reach the Regional Finals. Manvel was a step away in 2017 and 2016, bowing out in the semis. Back on the court for the Mavs will be Morgan Smith, who dominated up front and was named the District Blocker MVP. Cecilia Harness enters her senior season with a ton of experience. FULL TEAM PREVIEW COMING SOON!
7) Foster
Ashley Isbell, Karley Hardin, Annie Creery and Briana Creery, Foster
Jamey Wright
Inside the Foster Falcon volleyball program, the baton is being passed. Coach Morgan Hunter says goodbye to her first senior class, which included District MVP Catherine Krieger (Sam Houston State), District Offensive MVP Lauryn Richardson (Delaware) and Defensive MVP Lauren Sulak. Sure, Foster will need to turn over their roster, but the Falcons have been in the playoffs the last 18 seasons and had a nice run to the Regional Semis last year. Eventual state champ Kingwood Park put a stop to their season, which also included a District 24-5A title. FULL TEAM PREVIEW COMING!
8) Tomball
Rachel Maciejeski, Kate Sralla and Maddie Scott, Tomball
Bradley Collier/VYPE
There will be a new era for Tomball volleyball as long-time coach Cheri Wallace passes the baton to former Waller coach Jordan Williams to run the Cougars' Den. Williams went 26-15 in her first year as a head coach for the Bulldogs in 2018. Last year, Tomball finished in a tie for second in district and reached the area round of the postseason. While several seniors left their mark on the program, the Tomball volleyball legacy lives on. The most decorated returner is first-teamer Kate Sralla, who tallied over 400 kills as a sophomore. FULL TEAM PREVIEW COMING SOON!
9) Magnolia
Ellie Anderson and Faith Lynch, Magnolia
Lily Cox/VYPE
Magnolia is coming off a year where the Bulldogs went 15-27 overall and 5-9 in district but have pieces coming back including Ellie Anderson and Faith Lynch. Anderson returns after a sophomore season where she had 216 kills. Marissa Moffatt is also back after registering 180 kills. Faith Lynch led the team with 628 assists a year ago to go with a team-leading 83 aces. Watch for Magnolia as they are one of VYPE's Teams to watch heading into 2019.
10) Montgomery
Montgomery is coming off a 26-19 season where the Bears made the playoffs. Montgomery fell in the first round to A&M Consolidated. Madison Wofford returns as a senior after recording 185 kills a year ago. Out of the leaders in kills from a year ago, she is the lone returner. Sister Brianna Wofford led the team in aces with 90 last season. Ally Williams will set for the team after recording 522 assists a year ago. Montgomery plays in an absolutely loaded district with the likes of Kingwood Park, Tomball and WIllis in it.