Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
2019 VYPE Austin Public School Volleyball Sleepers
You've already seen the VYPE Austin preseason public school volleyball rankings, so it's time to learn about the sleepers. Check out the team breakdowns below, and look for more preseason coverage in the coming days!
Lake Travis Cavaliers (Reached 2018 UIL 6A Bi-District)
Lake Travis earned 32 wins and a UIL 6A bi-district finish in 2018, and has the necessary returning talent to have a better year in 2019. The Cavaliers are expected to lean on senior setter Abi Watts, as well as college recruits Arden Besecker, Jamison Wheeler, Mykenna Eklund, Jorden Jaimes and Keely Hamilton. Besecker is a Florida State beach volleyball commit, Wheeler is a SMU volleyball commit, Eklund is an Oral Roberts volleyball commit, Jaimes is a SFA beach volleyball commit and Hamilton is a University of Tampa beach volleyball commit.
Hays Rebels (Reached 2018 UIL 6A Bi-District Round)
Hays recorded a lot of second half success in 2018, so it finished last season with 28 wins and a trip to the opening round of the UIL 6A playoffs. The Rebels are expected to continue their winning ways under new head coach Ashley Davis in 2019 because they have a pair of Texas State commits in Ryann Torres and Trista Strasser. Torres is a senior setter and Strasser is a junior middle blocker. Other players to watch are junior right side hitter Madelyn Krafka, senior outside hitter Sydney Collins and sophomore outside hitter Joselyn Roberson.
Johnson City Lady Eagles (Reached 2018 UIL 3A Region IV quarterfinal)
Johnson City won 33 of its 41 games and advanced to the UIL 3A Region IV quarterfinal in 2018, so it'll contend for its fifth consecutive playoff berth in 2019. The Lady Eagles have two starters back from last year's run, so they will lean on key returning talent to stay on track. Middle blockers Kalli Dalland (2020 Lubbock Christian University commit) and McKenna Cowsert, and outside hitters Reagan Weirich and Paige Dalland are expected to lead the pack, but don't underestimate the talent of libero Olivia Adair.
Wimberley Texans (Reached 2018 UIL 4A Area Round)
Wimberley advanced to the 2018 UIL 4A area round because it recorded twice as many wins as losses, and has the necessary returning players to advance to a 25th consecutive postseason in 2019. The Texans have a versatile player in Olivia Linton, who is an outside hitter, middle blocker and opposite hitter. Joining her is opposite hitter Rayna Pack, middle blocker Payton Knight and outside hitter Holly Harwood. Pack is a Lubbock Christian University commit and Knight will play beyond high school at Mary Hardin-Baylor. Other depth will come from Paige Crawford, Brina Jones, Jordan McFarland and Rhyan Masur.
Lockhart Lady Lions (Reached 2018 UIL 5A Bi-district Round)
Lockhart won 28 games and advanced to the UIL 5A bi-district round in 2018, but has to turn to new leaders in 2019. The Lady Lions only have two returning starters, so the roles of outside hitters Kallie Krenz and Kaylee Reynolds, libero Karleigh Caudillo and defensive specialist Lani Adair will be enhanced this season. Additional depth will come from setter Mikayla Leyva and middle blocker MaKynzee Reynolds, who round out the roster.
La Grange Leopards (Reached 2018 UIL 4A Bi-District Round)
La Grange has spent the past 15 years making the UIL postseason, so it plans on extending the streak and building on last year's run to the UIL 4A bi-district round in 2019. The Leopards will lean on a trio that includes outside hitter Becca Heinrich, setter Aly Trlicek and defensive specialist Harley Rohde. Additional depth will come from outside hitters Lanie Doyle and Natalie Blackwell. Coach Leslie Coltrain also plans on using a faster offense and a scrappier defense to further her team's chances.
Burton Panthers (Reached 2018 UIL 2A Region IV Final)
Burton has clinched 10 consecutive UIL postseason appearances and advanced to the 2018 UIL 2A Region IV Final, so it has large expectations for the 2019 season. The Panthers have key athletes in defensive specialists Izbel Aguilar and Michaela Wilke, outside hitter Kyndal Coufal, setter Alex Countouriotis and middle hitter Cheyanne Bluntson.
Fayetteville Lions (Reached 2018 UIL 1A Region IV Final)
Fayetteville made a run to the 2018 UIL 1A Region IV Final, so it's aiming high for the 2019 season. The Lions are still expected to go a couple rounds deep in the 2019 postseason because outside hitter/defensive specialist Gracie Dyer and outside hitter Colby Deatherage are back for their senior year, and libero/setter Jackie Titus and outside hitter Avery Diggs are back for their sophomore season. Other notable figureheads are junior setter Landry Wied and freshman outside hitter Brooklyn Jaeger.
Hutto Hippos (Reached 2018 UIL 5A Region III Quarterfinal)
Hutto won 38 games and advanced to the UIL 5A Region III Quarterfinal in 2018, but is working hard to fill starter spots in 2019. The Hippos only have one returning starter, so the play of middle blocker Dashia Williams and defensive specialists Mia Lozoria and Alyssa Terrazas will be important.
Bastrop Bears (Reached 2018 UIL 5A Bi-District Round)
Bastrop only advanced to the opening round of the UIL 5A postseason in 2018, but has the necessary senior class to go a couple rounds deep in 2019. The Bears have a setter/right side hitter in Caitlyn Harman, libero Caela McGee, defensive specialist Averi Allen, and outside hitters Bella Delarosa and Zoey Croft.
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.
2019 VYPE Austin Private School Volleyball Contenders
You've already seen the VYPE Austin preseason private school volleyball rankings, so it's time to learn about the contenders. Check out the team breakdowns below, and learn about the sleepers and dark horses in the coming days!
No. 1 Austin St. Michael's Catholic Academy Crusaders (Reached 2018 TAPPS 5A state final)
Austin St. Michael's Catholic Academy advanced to last year's TAPPS 5A state final, and will be in contention for the ultimate prize in 2019. The Crusaders will lean on senior Kathryn Morton and junior Nora Carlson because they're coming off second-team all-state seasons. Juniors Jillian Bruegging and Alexis Threadgill will also play a big role, as evident by their 2018 second-team all-district seasons. Additional leadership will come from 2020 athlete and district honorable mention Olivia Muth.
No. 2 Austin Waldorf School Roadrunners (Reached 2018 TAPPS 2A state final)
Austin Waldorf School suffered a hard-fought five-set loss in last year's TAPPS 2A state final, so it's hungry to finish on top in 2019. The Roadrunners return a lot of talent and experience, so the sky's the limit. Charlotte Brenner, Risa Olson, Daisy Palmer and Miranda Sekel will lead the charge because they earned first-team all-state honors in 2018 and are back for their senior season. Ruby Tunney is also a Class of 2020 member and leads fellow second-team all-district honorees Ruby Bledsoe (junior) and Eva Maguire (sophomore). The team depth continues with district honorable mentions Mabel Andrae and Clara Pickens, who are back for their senior and junior years respectively.
No. 3 Round Rock Christian Academy Lady Crusaders (Reached 2018 TAPPS 3A state semifinal)
Round Rock Christian Academy won TAPPS state volleyball championships in 2012 and 2017, and finished two wins short at last year's TAPPS 3A state semifinal, so it's gunning for the season's ultimate prize in 2019. Luckily for the Lady Crusaders, they will lean on a dominant lineup again. Senior Lydia Headley and junior Natalie Womack lead the pack as all-state players, but don't forget about first-team all-district junior Juliana Rodriguez. In addition to them, Kaitlyn Vasquez provides depth as a second-team all-district honoree, and district honorable mention seniors Makaila Beardmore and Katie Snyder round out the notable talent.
No. 4 Texas School For The Deaf Rangers (Reached 2018 TAPPS 4A regional final)
Texas School for the Deaf is coming off a trip to the TAPPS 4A regional final, and has the necessary group of talents to stay on course in 2019. First-team all-district Ashlene Etkie will have a big role this season, but she's not alone. Fellow seniors Ashley Harlicker and Kaci Ketchum are second-teamers like junior Jayne Taylor. Other members of the Class of 2020 include district honorable mentions Michaela Kelley and Brianne Leiker, and another 2021 prospect is Zara Thompson, so there's plenty of experience to go around.
No. 5 Regents School of Austin Knights (Reached 2018 TAPPS 5A area round)
Regents School of Austin leaned on a strong senior class to reach last year's TAPPS 5A area round, but still has enough talent to clinch another playoff berth in 2019. Senior Carrie Christian will play a big role because she's coming off a second-team all-district season like 2022 prospects Abigail Daehler and Ava Patton. Juniors Tayler Rood and Sydney Spradley will also be asked to step up because they're coming off district honorable mention campaigns.
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.