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From left to right, Ridge Point's Alexis Roberson, Nylah Raspberry and Nina Moorer were just a few of a plethora of Panthers who starred in a Class 6A bi-district playoff sweep of Seven Lakes on Tuesday in Katy.
Ridge Point sweeps defending state champ Seven Lakes, moves on to area round
KATY—The hashtag on social media is "#DefyTheOdds." It personifies Ridge Point volleyball.
Dating back to last year, the Panthers have felt overlooked, unappreciated. Maybe even disrespected? That's been the drive behind this year's team, which craves any and every opportunity to show what it's got.
The Panthers showed plenty Tuesday evening at the Merrell Center. Ridge Point swept defending Class 6A state champ Seven Lakes in their Region III-6A bi-district playoff, 3-0 (25-23, 25-18, 25-23).
It wasn't easy. It was tough. It demanded a lot out of them. But then again, that's how the Panthers want it as they seek a third state tournament appearance in four years.
"We had motivation losing in the first round last year," coach Lauryn Bailey said. "After the 2019 team graduated, people brushed us under the rug. They said we didn't have much talent. We had talent last year; we just couldn't put the pieces together.
"This year, with people counting us out, our girls took that personally. The odds are stacked against us, and we've preached keep working. It showed tonight. At one point we were down six or seven points, and they kept working. That's what we're trying to do.
"We're going to keep working until somebody gets rid of us."
Ridge Point is 34-10, winners of 17 of the last 18 games.
"Our good chemistry off the court really shows on the court," senior Kayla Wilson said. "It shows when we play and hit and swing and set each other up. We're there for each other."
The Panthers got production from everywhere. Six players had five or more kills: senior Alexis Roberson (10 kills, block), junior Sydney Jordan (seven kills, 10 digs), junior Arissa Smith (six kills, three blocks), Wilson (seven kills, block), senior Nina Moorer (five kills, 11 digs, two blocks) and freshman Kennedi Rogers (five kills, block).
Freshman Kennedi Rogers with the shot for @RP_Volleyball. Panthers up 21-18 in the first set. #txhsvb @RP_PantherPridepic.twitter.com/SjgVrT4aOv— Dennis Silva II (@Dennis Silva II) 1635902089
Senior libero Nylah Raspberry, whom Bailey praised as a leader for establishing an accountability within this team that wasn't there last season, was brilliant defensively with 21 digs. Moorer ran the offense with precision, totaling 23 assists.
"From top to bottom, from 14-year-old to 18-year-old, we're all the same," Wilson said. "We're all equally as good. No one thinks they're better than anyone else. That's what I love about this team. We're together."
Seven Lakes went up 11-5 in the third set. Ridge Point rallied back to eventually force an 18-all tie. Then the Spartans went back up by three, 21-18. The Panthers again answered, tying it at 21-all.
From there, Smith had two big points, and sophomore Carrington Cook put the game away with her third point of the game.
Carrington Cook with the capper in what was an amazing third set. @RP_Volleyball wins 25-23 to sweep defending 6A state champ Seven Lakes. #txhsvb @RP_PantherPride @RPHS_Pantherspic.twitter.com/r53CBvz0tc— Dennis Silva II (@Dennis Silva II) 1635906293
"The depth is what makes us so good," Bailey said. "We're able to go to practice every day and compete every day because of our depth. That's because of our seniors, our leadership. They come to work every day at practice and don't let whether you're a freshman or sophomore or whoever affect anything. Everyone comes in, everyone works hard, and we go home. We do what we need to do."
'Keep working,' as Bailey likes to say. The Panthers are surging because of that work, and they're continuing to get better. Defense is turning into offense. The offense is playing at a considerably faster pace than earlier this season.
It's a team of players that makes no excuses and gets the job done. No questions asked.
"Everyone understands they have a job to do," Bailey said. "Nothing is taken personally or emotionally or to heart. They just keep working."
VYPE U: Shark Infested Waters
Houston area volleyball teams hit the ground running in September as the season officially began for 5A and 6A schools.
For Shadow Creek, this season marks the beginning of their legacy in the 6A classification, having been 5A since opening. They find themselves in District 23-6A with the Pearland ISD and Alief ISD schools, and they seem to be doing just fine.
The Shadow Creek Sharks only return six players from last season's thirteen-man roster, and the team includes many fresh faces with an abundance of talent to offer. Despite losing their six starters from last season, the Lady Sharks have demonstrated an incredible amount of potential in such a small amount of time.
Coach Whitney Daniel returns for her fifth season as head coach of the Lady Sharks, having built the program from the ground up since the school's opening in 2016. In her previous four seasons as head coach, Daniel has not failed to appear in the playoffs, finally making it to the Regional Quarterfinals for the first time last season. The team fell short in the Quarterfinals to Friendswood.
The Lady Sharks varsity team currently sits at 2-1 in district play (6-3 overall) after a four-set victory against Alief Taylor, a five-set thriller against Alvin, and an upsetting four-set loss to Dawson.
The team is led fearlessly by senior setter Michele Murphy, who returns to her starting spot expected to fill the shoes of 2020 graduate, Alexis Williams. After being named to the 24-5A 2nd All-District Team and posting 470 assists and 229 digs for the 2019 season, Murphy is expected to double her stats this year as she plays as a six rotation setter and the team captain. Not only can Murphy set, she also aids junior Deja Benjamin on blocking the outside and has a mean swing if given the opportunity to hit.
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VYPE caught up with Murphy to ask a few questions about the team this year and what she expects from district play this season:
VYPE: How are you feeling about the start of district play for the 2020 season?
MURPHY: I'm pleased with how district has started off, but we still have a lot of work to do. Losing to Dawson has given us extra motivation to work harder on the court.
VYPE: What are some of the biggest advantages and skill sets this year's team has to offer?
MURPHY: Our team has done a fabulous job of blending together when we all come from different ages and skill levels.
VYPE: How has the team compensated for the loss of six seniors last season? In what areas is this year's team better?
MURPHY: Each and every player has really stepped up and is doing their best to fill the shoes of the starting six last year. Our team this year has really focused on building a healthy, encouraging relationship with one another. I think this is a vital step that will carry us far into the playoffs.
VYPE: What are your expectations for the team during district? What is your main goal?
MURPHY: The goal for district is to be if not first, then second overall in district. To accomplish this, my personal goal is to hone in on making my sets the best that I can for my hitters to rack up their kills.
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Other players to watch for Shadow Creek include junior outside hitter Kayla Wilson, who currently leads the team in kills and plays all six rotations. She makes up much of the offense with her quick arm swing and ability to intelligently place the ball in the defense's holes. Last year she was named a District 24-5A Honorable Mention as a right side hitter, but she now has more opportunity to shine and lead her team to victory as she perfectly fills the shoes of 2020 graduates Halle Sanders and Amber Johnson. Wilson's court IQ and encouraging leadership add to her skill set and cause her to stand out anytime she plays.
"I'm very excited and thankful for the continuation of our season. I think we are off to a great start in district, being 2-1. We are a very young team, but we have fun and play well together. I think the sky is the limit for us," said Wilson when asked about the team's performance and predictions for the rest of district play.
Also, do not count out the District 24-5A Co-Blocker of the Year, Deja Benjamin, who proves a force to be reckoned with up at the net with her ability to shut down even the best of hitters and ability to execute the ball.
It will be interesting to see how the rest of the season plays out as the Sharks near the end of the first round of district. Will a playoff run be in their future? Only time will tell.
Catch the Lady Sharks in action Tuesday, October 13 at Alief Hastings High School and Friday, October 16th at home against Alief Taylor High School.