GAMES
RANKINGS
2019 VYPE All-State Volleyball Teams
The goal is very simple: Recognize the best public high school volleyball players in the state of Texas.
As I've said many times before, Texas has the best collection of volleyball players in the United States (if not the world).
Consider there are approximately 1,200 public high school volleyball teams. If you figure an average of nine players per team (and that's a conservative number), that's about 11,000 players to consider for our 2nd Annual VYPE All-State Awards.
But here they are – we believe these are the best in a state full of incredible volleyball talent.
As I indicated for my own Dazzling Dozen, these selections, too, are as politics-free as we could make them. There's no "quota" of teams, players or regions to be represented; there's no undue influence from one team, area or organization.
I did consult a 10-person committee of coaches from across the state for their thoughts on these selections. We all had one goal in mind; make sure we recognize the players who deserve such recognition. Period. I also worked with Josh Koch of our own VYPE Media as well as Butch Hart, the Guru of Texas high school volleyball and Media Director of the Texas Girls Coaches Association.
As I've learned from my coaching friends, coaches are always the first to be approached with questions (and complaints) about any/all postseason awards. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions with these awards, please contact me directly: e-mail me, chuck.licata@vypemedia.com or hit me up via Direct Message on Twitter (@kmacchuck).
Unfortunately, I only received a couple e-mails for nominations for Class 4A to 1A (we'll work to continue growing that moving forward). Thus, we used the Texas Girls Coaches Association State Awards for our Honorable Mention lists in those classes; I added a few players I saw this season.
Congratulations to the incredible players on this list. And, congrats to all 2019-20 Texas high school volleyball players, coaches, teams and communities for an outstanding season of volleyball!
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VYPE All-State Elite
Player of the Year
Paige Flickinger, Byron Nelson (Sr.)
Hitter of the Year
Ally Batenhorst, Seven Lakes (Jr.)
Setter of the Year
Payton Chamberlain, Byron Nelson (Jr.)
Blocker of the Year
Nnedi Okammor Hebron (Sr.)
Libero of the Year
Sarah Martinez, Flower Mound (Sr.)
Utility Co-Players of the Year
Avery Kalsu, Dripping Springs (Sr.)
Jill Pressly, Plano West (Sr.)
Newcomer of the Year
Falon Buford, Splendora (Fr.)
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VYPE All-State Teams - CLASS 6A
First Team
Hitters
Kaylee Cox, Flower Mound (Jr.)
Charitie Luper, Byron Nelson (Jr.)
Dylan Maberry, The Woodlands (Sr.)
Middle Blockers
Annabelle Smith, Southlake Carroll (Sr.)
Claire Jeter, Ridge Point (Sr.)
Setter
Clara Brower, The Woodlands (Jr.)
Libero
Nia McCardell, Ridge Point (Sr.)
Utility Players
Reagan Rutherford, Ridge Point (Sr.)
Brooke Slusser, Guyer (Sr.)
Second Team
Hitters
Iman Ndiaye, Plano West (Sr.)
Shelby O'Neal, Clemens (Sr.)
Angelique Cyr, Flower Mound (Jr)
Middle Blockers
Jordyn Williams, Guyer (Jr.)
Jasmin Garcia, Los Fresnos (Sr.)
Setter
Annie Cooke, College Park (Sr.)
Liberos
Gia Santini, Byron Nelson (Sr.)
Darian Markham, McKinney Boyd (Sr.)
Utility Players
Alyssa Heist, El Paso Coronado (Sr.)
Annie Antar, Klein (Jr.)
Honorable Mention (alphabetical order by players' last name):
Nyah Anderson, Reagan (Sr.); Jackie Arrington, Pearland (Sr.); Bailey Birmingham, Prosper (Jr.); Kenzie Beckham, Westwood (Jr.); Lauryn Bourne, Cy Fair (Sr.); Canada Buchanan, Canyon (Jr.); Maddie Correa, Reagan (Jr); Madison Cuellar, Clark (Sr.); Isabel Fichtel, Churchill (Sr.); Taryn Galt, Tascosa (Sr.); Grace Gibson, Clark (Sr.); Maci Godby, Flower Mound (Sr.); Alexa Gonzalez, McAllen (Sr.); Jenna Gray, Pearland (Soph.); Alicia Hearn, Sachse (Sr.); Elizabeth Hill, Clemens (Sr.); Logan Hinds, Lake Ridge (Sr.); Hailey Hutchings, Flower Mound (Jr.); Samantha Jacobs, Prosper (Jr.); Mackenzie Jefferson, Prosper (Sr.); Mia Johnson, Clear Falls (Jr.); Alexia Jones, Dawson (Jr.); Angel Jones, New Braunfels Canyon (Sr.); Chloe Jordan, Pearland (Sr.); Kate Lang, Keller (Sr.); Ashley Le, Plano West (Jr.); Katie Le, Mansfield (Jr.); Kassandra Lerma, Mission Veterans Memorial (Sr.); Julia Lopez, Churchill (Jr.); Gabby Mansfield, Klein (Soph.); Aliyah McDonald, Dawson (Sr.); Kierstyn McFall, Klein (Soph.); Elise McGhee, Clark (Sr.); Zoe Menendez, Westwood (Sr.); Jayden Nembhard, Keller (Sr.); Kailin Newsome, Clear Brook (Sr.); Audrey Quesnel, Westwood (Sr.); Noelle Piatas, Plano West (Sr.); Keagan Polk, Southlake Carroll (Jr.); Kamryn Scroggins, Dawson (Soph.); Kennedy Stanford, Lamar (Sr.); Annie Stadthaus, Vandegrift (Sr.); Cassidy Steadman, Clemens (Sr.); Nikkie Steinheiser, Prosper (Jr.); Lyric Stewart, Lake Ridge (Jr.); Kyndal Stowers, Guyer (Fresh.); Devan Taylor, Klein (Jr.); Alexandra Tennon, George Ranch (Jr.); Bailey Tillman, Fort Bend Austin (Jr.); Chloe Thomas, Allen (Jr.); Ryann Torres, Hays (Sr.); Julietta Valdes, The Woodlands (Fr.); Maggie Walsh, Guyer (Soph.); Brynn Williams, Mansfield (Soph.); Madison Williams, Lake Ridge (Sr.)
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VYPE All-State Teams - CLASS 5A
First Team
Hitters
Cecily Bramschreiber, Lovejoy (Jr.)
Brianna Ford, Randall (Sr.)
Grayson Schirpik, Rouse (Jr.)
Middle Blockers
Hailey Harris, Davis (Jr.)
Makensy Manbeck, Friendswood (Sr)
Setter
Averi Carlson, Lovejoy (Soph)
Libero
Callie Kemohah, Lovejoy (Jr.)
Utility
Jenna Wenaas, Frisco Liberty (Sr.)
Second Team
Hitters
Libby Overmyer, Kingwood Park (Sr.)
Fallon Thompson, Grand Oaks (Soph.)
Middle Blockers/Hitters
Morgan Smith, Manvel (Sr.)
Hailey Hunt, Red Oak (Sr.)
Chloe Rodriguez, Gregory-Portland (Sr.)
Co-Setters
Tori Weatherley, Friendswood (Sr.)
Cecilia Harness (Sr.), Manvel
Libero
Reilly Heinrich, Rouse (Sr.)
Utility
Ashlyn Svoboda, Friendswood (Jr.)
Honorable Mention (alphabetical order):
Emily Ah Leong, Boswell (Sr.); Tyrah Ariail, Lebanon Trail (Jr.); Toryn Barrientos, Randall (Sr.); Payton Bell, Granbury (Sr.); Kamrynn Caruth, Chapin (Jr.); Avery Cole, Cedar Park (Jr.); Keetyn Davis, Wylie (Sr.); Maya Duckworth, Birdville (Soph.); Daleigh Ellison, Aledo (Sr.); Kate Georgiades, College Station (Sr.); Jaelyn Grimm, Cedar Park (Sr.); Colby Gonzalez, Gregory-Portland (Sr.); Trinity Hennigan, Barbers Hill (Sr.); Emery Herman, Georgetown (Sr.); Faith Holzhausen, Alamo Heights (Sr.); Camryn Jones, Gregory-Portland (Sr.); Ellie Jonke, Lovejoy (Jr.); Maya Joseph, Grapevine (Jr.); Kylee Kejonen, Barbers Hill (Sr.); Savannah Kjolhede, Grapevine (Sr.); Samantha Kuzma, Gregory-Portland (Sr.); Sarah Lankford, Barbers Hill (Sr.); Kayla Lopez, Rouse (Fresh.); Alessandra Meoni, Friendswood (Jr.); Mckenzie Murray, Dripping Springs (Sr.); Sarah Nading, Dripping Springs (Sr).; Anna Nichol, Highland Park (Jr.); Cali Nims, Flour Bluff (Jr.); Olivia Meyer, Cedar Park (Sr.); Zoe Parker, Randall (Sr.); Riley Pickett, Aledo (Sr.); Kendyl Reaugh, Highland Park (Sr.); Emily Rich, Burleson (Jr.); Alyssa Sianez, El Paso (Sr.); Taylor Thomas, Denton (Jr.); Savana Trahan, Kerrville Tivy (Sr.); Aryn Walton, Midlothian (Jr.); Piper Warren, Amarillo (Sr.); Hannah Whittingstall, Alamo Heights (Fresh.); Kylie Wickley, Alamo Heights (Soph.); Alia Williams, Kingwood Park (Sr.)
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Class 4A-1A Honorable Mentions
(TGCA All-State with a few additions – alphabetical by school name)
Allie Jones, Argyle (Sr.)
Kiley Lavelle, Argyle (Sr.)
Kassidy Reeves, Argyle (Sr.)
Mackenzie Morgan, Bellville (Sr.)
Jasmine Nelson, Boerne (Sr.)
Sara McKeethan, Bullard (Sr.)
Marley Maurer, Caldwell (Sr.)
Bryli Contreras, Canyon (Sr.)
Chesney Baker, Carthage (Sr.)
Cami Hicks, Carthage (Sr.)
Faith Kruebbev, Carthage (Soph.)
Kristen Stewart, Carthage (Sr.)
Megan Hodges, Celina (Soph.)
Laney Smith, Community HS (Sr.)
Jentry Lamirand, Decatur (Soph.)
Madison Lowery, Decatur (Sr.)
Macy Hein, Devine (Soph.)
Megan Runyan, Devine (Jr.)
Reese Fetty, Farmersville (Jr.)
Kalli Virag, Farmersville (Jr.)
Alexis Dacosta, Fulshear (Soph.)
Brooklyn Dacosta, Fulshear (Sr.)
Ellie Echter, Fulshear (Jr.)
Ava Underwood, Fulshear (Soph.)
Chloe Menard, Graham (Sr.)
Rainey Aven, Hereford (Jr.)
Darcy Dodd, Hereford (Sr.)
Taytum Stow Stow, Hereford (Soph.)
Maddie Pyles, Kennedale (Soph.)
Lillian Rychlik, Kennedale (Sr.)
Bryley Steinhilber, Kennedale (Jr.)
Miranda Guffy, Krum (Jr.)
Reese Robinson , Krum (Sr.)
Megan Brothers, La Grange (Jr.)
Lanie Doyle, La Grange (Jr.)
Becca Heinrich, La Grange (Sr.)
Alyson Trlicek, La Grange (Sr.)
Lainey Bullard, La Vernia (Sr.)
Meghan Stiefer , La Vernia (Jr.)
Madelyn Wallace, La Vernia (Jr.)
Ashley Nelson, Liberty Hill (Sr.)
Emma Becker, Liberty Hill (Soph.)
Kindsee Escamilla, Liberty Hill (Jr.)
Haley Flores, Lorena (Sr.)
Kelsey Carpenter, Midlothian Heritage (Sr.)
Hanna Larson, Midlothian Heritage (Sr.)
Taryn Griner, Monahans (Jr.)
Kelly Helms, Navarro (Sr.)
Karli Stanley, Sanger (Sr.)
Autumn Moses, Sinton (Jr.)
Natalee James, Snyder (Sr.)
Falon Buford, Splendora (Fresh.)
Railey Druxman, Springtown (Soph.)
Karlee Easterling, Stephenville (Sr.)
Sydney Whitmire, Tarkington (Jr.)
Macy Rucker, Van HS (Sr.)
Rayna Pack, Wimberley (Sr.)
======3A ==================
Kyndal Bohnert , Anderson-Shiro (Jr.)
Aslyn Davis, Bowie (Sr.)
Kate Hanson, Boyd (Fresh.)
Delaney Pellegrini, Boyd (Sr.)
Victoria Pellegrini, Boyd (Sr.)
Laney Dale, Brock (Sr.)
Kealey Dent, Brock (Sr.)
Jessica Steele, Brock (Sr.)
Berrilyn Boydston, Bushland (Sr.)
Kinley Rudder, Bushland (Jr.)
Ansley Sims, Bushland (Sr.)
Addyson Tiffin, Bushland (Sr.)
Chloe Cook, Central Heights (Sr.)
Peyton Warren, Clyde (Jr.)
Lexi Ivy, Denver City (Jr.)
Helene Bolton, Diboll (Jr.)
McKenna Novicke, East Bernard (Sr.)
Hannah Jordan, Eastland (Sr.)
Kenzie Smith, Edgewood (Sr.)
Ashlyn Davis, Goliad (Sr.)
Mollee Henicke, Goliad (Jr.)
Bethany Gilbreath, Gunter (Jr.)
Sadie Kabisch, Henrietta (Soph.)
Allie Eschenburg, Industrial (Jr.)
Kylann Griffith, Industrial (Sr.)
Lauren Williams, Industrial (Jr.)
Anna Crittenden, Ingram-Tom Moore (Jr.)
Kalli Dalland, LBJ HS (Sr.)
Grace Patschke, Lexington (Sr.)
Shelby Ray, Lexington (Jr.)
Sara Lyne, London (Jr.)
Kenzie Bolton, Maypearl (Sr.)
Averee Kleinhans, Nocona (Jr.)
Aubrey Case, Peaster (Sr.)
Kylee Anderson , Ponder (Sr.)
Khloe Naegelin , Poth (Soph.)
Morgan Pape, Poth (Sr.)
Baylor Sessums, Prairiland (Sr.)
Sabrina Tuerck, Rogers (Sr.)
Mikinzi Cantrell, Sabine (Sr.)
Erica Otto, Schulenburg (Jr.)
Erin Treybig, Schulenburg (Sr.)
Kristin Bishop, Scurry Rosser (Sr.)
Madison Batten, Shallowater (Sr.)
BraeLynn Harris, Sonora (Sr.)
Essence Allan, Tatum (Sr.)
Micah Welch, Van Alstyne (Sr.)
Kylie Phillips, Wall (Jr.)
Hallie King, West (Sr.)
Claire Simmons , West (Sr.)
Jayda Argumon, Woodville (Sr.)
Emily Mixon, Woodville (Sr.)
======2A ==================
Miranda Mize, Beckville (Sr.)
Kinlsey Rivers, Beckville (Soph.)
Charlea Helmberger, Boles (Sr.)
Bailey Miller, Boles (Soph.)
Lyndsie McBride, Bremond (Soph.)
Alyvia Peralez, Bremond (Jr.)
Cheyanne Bluntson, Burton (Sr.)
Kyndal Coufal, Burton (Sr.)
Alex Countouriotis, Burton (Sr.)
Claire Drinkard, Cayuga (Fresh.)
Briley Shaw, Cayuga (Jr.)
Carrie Johnson, Collinsville (Sr.)
Lexie Martin, Collinsville (Sr.)
Peyton Elmore, Crawford (Sr.)
Ana Maddox, Crawford (Sr.)
Lexi Moody, Crawford (Soph.)
Anne Williams, Crawford (Sr.)
Kinsley Fuller, Frost (Sr.)
Sydney Woods, Frost (Sr.)
Letitia Green, Harper (Sr.)
Breanna Leathers, Hawley (Jr.)
KLynn OShields, Hawley (Sr.)
Emma Patterson, Highland Park (Sr.)
Cynarah Rodriquez, Highland Park (Sr.)
Nevaeh Rodriquez, Highland Park (Soph.)
Cadence Hoyle, Iola (Jr.)
Tatum Nevill, Iola (Sr.)
Taylor Nevill, Iola (Sr.)
Tara Goolsby, Leon (Sr.)
Sarah Grace Merry, Leon (Sr.)
Caroline Richmond, Leon (Sr.)
Skylar Brooks, Miles (Sr.)
Halle Hudson, Miles (Sr.)
Tycie Lange, Miles (Sr.)
Tracelyn Ross, Refugio (Sr.)
Zoe Fry , Sanford-Fritch (Sr.)
Tiffani Henry, Sanford-Fritch (Sr.)
Kiley Michalec Shiner (Jr.)
Landri Leschber, Thorndale (Sr.)
Kyndal Robinson, Thorndale (Fresh.)
Madi Smith, Thorndale (Sr.)
Riley Krenek, Thrall (Sr.)
Chandra Reed, Thrall (Sr.)
Brylee Behrens , Timpson (Sr.)
Kamryn Courtney, Timpson (Sr.)
Nicole Hill, Tioga (Sr.)
Malarie Mican, Weimar (Soph.)
Kora Pennartz, Windthorst (Sr.)
Jordan Dewberry, Wink (Sr.)
Kyndall Garduno, Wink (Soph.)
Jonnah Smith, Wink (Sr.)
======1A ==================
Rachel Kallus, Abbott (Sr.)
Kenna Mynar, Abbott (Sr.)
Sofia Stalker, Abbott (Jr.)
Allison Wolf, Abbott (Jr.)
Emma Jones, Blum (Fresh.)
Emma Rodriguez, Blum (Sr.)
Ruby Salinas, Blum (Jr.)
Kylie Sanders, Blum (Sr.)
Karissa Cervenka, Bronte (Sr.)
Elexia Davis, Bronte (Sr.)
Searra Powell, Bronte (Sr.)
Victoria Carter, D'Hanis (Jr.)
Journie Hilliard, Dodd City (Jr.)
Brooklyn Jaeger, Fayettville (Fresh.)
Megan Arismendez, Klondike (Sr.)
Bella Stevens, Klondike (Fresh.)
Jillian Shaw, Leveretts (Sr.)
Blayke Breeding, Miami (Sr.)
Alexis Green, Miller Grove (Sr.)
Emily Hill, Neches (Jr.)
Raegan Hill, Neches (Jr.)
Kacie Kimbrough, Neches (Jr.)
Kourtney Mannix, Neches (Soph.)
Nayeli Quistian, Neches (Jr.)
Lexi Rogers, Neches (Jr.)
Hannah Manos, New Castle (Sr.)
Kelli Tucker, Perrin-Whitt (Sr.)
Emily Carpenter Emily Carpenter, Prairie Valley (Soph.)
Kate Eilers, Round Top-Carmine (Jr.)
Megan Krause, Round Top-Carmine (Sr.)
Kelsey Lunbeck, Round Top-Carmine (Sr.)
Brooke Schobel, Round Top-Carmine (Jr.)
Eryn Airheart, Trinidad (Sr.)
Alyssa Robles, Veribest (Sr.)
Chesney Baker, Water Valley (Sr.)
Baily Dawson, Water Valley (Sr.)
Kirstyn Greebon, Water Valley (Sr.)
Kalysta Minton-Holland , Water Valley (Jr.)
VB State Tournament: Neches rolls to a second-straight title match
The Neches Tigers are the only defending state volleyball champions to return to the UIL State Tournament, being held at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland this week.
Coach Morgan Roberson's Tigers started this year's play in Garland, facing off against the Blum Lady Cats, who made it to the state title match in 2017 when they lost to Bronte.
But it was the Tigers who looked confident early and often, rolling to a 6-1 lead in Set 1 and never trailing in a three-set sweep (25-10, 25-13, 25-13) of Blum. Neches advances to the Class 1A state final match (set for Thursday at 3 p.m.) against the winner of the Round Top-Carmine/Water Valley semifinal.
After losing Set 1, the Lady Cats fell behind 10-4 in Set 2 before launching a 5-1 scoring run to close within two, 11-9. But Roberson took a quick time out and her team responded, with scoring runs of 5-0 and 9-3 to open up the lead.
They were never challenged after that.
"(Being back after last year) had my girls a lot more confident when they took the floor today," Roberson stated afterward. "Last year they were so nervous they (had a service error) to open the semifinals! We could tell they (Blum) were a bit nervous and we took advantage by opening up an early lead.
"Last year we went with the motto 'Rise Up.' This year's motto is "Rise Again.' The girls have worked hard to earn the right to play on Thursday."
Emma Rodriguez led Blum with seven kills and added seven digs; Kylie Sanders tallied 14 assists and two digs while Stormie Swinburne added 14 digs and one kill.
"Neches is pretty darn good," Blum coach Lauren McPherson joked after the game. "But our girls kept fighting hard each and every game. They fought to the end; Emma (Roodriguez) had a thumb issue but played through it and never complained.
"The three Rodriguez, Alexis Allen and Kylie Sanders) have set a high bar for this team. We played for the state title in 2017 and we came back to the State tournament again this year. The three seniors have been a great building block for the program and we appreciate all their efforts."