GAMES
RANKINGS
THE RANKINGS: With Shelby, Patton, time is of the essence for No. 2 Friendswood
FRIENDSWOOD KNOCKED ON THE DOOR OF REACHING THE 5A-D2 STATE SEMIS A YEAR AGO, FINISHING 38-9 OVERALL AND REACHING THE REGIONAL FINALS.
Sarah Paulk, who enters her 10th year at Friendswood (294-100 at Friendswood, 359-149 overall) returns six starters to the huddle including University of Florida-commit Nadi'ya Shelby, who is the reigning District 20-5A MVP.
University of North Dakota-commit Haley Patton was the Defensive District MVP, while Navy-commit Caroline Adams earned first-team, all-district honors.
Also earning first-team, all-district was Gabby Palermo, while Sarah Grace Hickl, Raylee Bosley and Caden Carter (University of New Orleans-commit) earned second-team honors.
Taliah Benson (Lemoyne University-commit) is back after being injured last year.
Others to watch include Ellie Leitko and Ashley Adams.
Keys to success for Paulk’s team include establishing two new middles and their serve-receive.
The stars of 2024-25 Friendswood Volleyball
THE TIME IS NOW: No. 1 Friendswood armed with a championship-caliber roster
NO. 1 -- FRIENDSWOOD MUSTANGS
Head Coach: Sarah Paulk
2023: 28-10/Regional Quarterfinalists
FRIENDSWOOD REACHED THE REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS A YEAR AGO ON THE HEELS OF AN UNDEFEATED (12-0) DISTRICT TITLE, AND FINISHING WITH A 28-10 RECORD.
Sarah Paulk enters year nine of leading the program and passed the 250-career-coaching mark in 2023.
She will have plenty of firepower back, as six out of eight key returners are back into the huddle, which makes this team dangerous.
Junior OH Nadi’ya Shelby (Florida-commit) is back to lead the way for 2024, following yet another stunning performance, which earned her District 18-5A MVP honors.
All-State setter Caroline Adams, Newcomer of the Year Haley Patton, and TGCA All-Star team selection Jordyn Sims (The Citadel-commit) are also back.
Don’t forget about first-team, all-district picks Preslee Alaniz (Southwestern Oklahoma State-commit) and Taliah Benson, who are all back into the mix.
Friendswood is the team to beat in Houston, and they’ll be eager to rewrite their ending from last year.