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Lake Creek's Madalyn Davis
THE OPENING ACT: H-Town's Biggest Questions entering the UIL Softball Postseason
But beneath the stats and standings, key questions are on everyone’s mind.
Can Lake Creek, still unbeaten, recapture the magic of its recent title runs and extend its reign as a 5A juggernaut?
Will Kingwood, armed with a battle-tested roster and elite coaching, turn last year’s semifinal heartbreak into a championship breakthrough?
And is this finally the year Katy—backed by one of the most loaded lineups in the state—climbs back to the top of the 6A mountain?
The postseason will provide answers. But for now, these questions set the stage for what could be a historic stretch of softball in the Houston area.
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Is Lake Creek back?
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
As the playoffs begin, one question looms large: Can this year’s Lake Creek squad carry on the legacy built by one of Texas’ most dominant dynasties?
All signs point to yes.
With a perfect 27-0 record heading into the postseason, Lake Creek enters the Class 5A playoffs as the No. 1-ranked team in Texas, according to both MaxPreps and VYPE Houston.
While comparisons to the golden era of Ava Brown (Florida), Maddox McKee (LSU), and Kalee Rochinski (UTSA) are inevitable, this year’s team has shown it has the tools to replicate that success.
Under the leadership of Coach Candyce Carter, the Lions boast a deep and dangerous lineup led by standout hitter Madalyn Davis, a North Carolina-commit.
In the circle, the dominant one-two punch of Sara Wiggins (Wichita State) and Chesney Davis (Texas State) has consistently overpowered opposing lineups.
As the Lions begin their march through the 5A-Division II bracket, the expectation isn’t just to contend—it’s to win. With poise, talent, and momentum on their side, Lake Creek looks poised to bring another UIL state title back to Montgomery.
So, if you're wondering that 'Lake Creek is back?', the truth of the matter is...they never left.
How will Kingwood respond?
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Rewind to last spring, when Kingwood Softball made its first UIL State Tournament appearance since 2013, sweeping favored Katy in the Region III Final before falling to eventual state runner-up Midway in the semifinals.
Now, with that experience under their belt, the Mustangs return with nearly every key contributor from that memorable run—setting the stage for another deep postseason charge.
Headlining the roster is a core packed with collegiate-level talent: Addy Sheppard (Stanford-commit), Mia Gagliardi (Virginia Tech), Hunter Quentel (So. P), and Leilani Garcia (Sr. IF).
Their chemistry, poise, and competitive edge form the backbone of a team that knows what it takes to win in the pressure of playoff softball.
Guided by legendary coach Christa Williams-Yates and her experienced staff, Kingwood continues to elevate its program’s standard.
The Mustangs battled through one of the toughest districts in the state—23-6A—earning a co-championship with Summer Creek, and proving they can thrive against elite competition.
With an experienced roster and reliable leadership, Kingwood enters the postseason with a clear goal: return to Austin, and this time, finish the job.
***Kingwood will be competing in the UIL 6A-Division II Bracket
Can Katy finally seal the deal?
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
It’s no secret that Katy continues to thrive as a softball powerhouse—and 2025 is no exception.
Heading into the postseason with a dominant 31-1 record, the Tigers are ranked No. 3 in Texas by MaxPreps and second in the Houston area by VYPE.
Under first-year head coach Meghan Burrell, the program hasn’t missed a beat, securing its 10th consecutive district title and setting its sights on something even bigger.
Because for Katy, district championships are just the beginning.
Fueled by a roster stacked with top-tier talent, the Tigers are built for a deep run.
Ella Kate “EK” Smith (Oklahoma), Lauryn Soeken (LSU), Montgomery Henderson (Oklahoma State), Hailey Gore (Houston), Avery Porter (Missouri), and Madison Smith (North Carolina State) lead a lineup that boasts both power and poise.
On paper, they look like a team destined for Austin.
Though Katy is no stranger to playoff success, the ultimate prize has eluded them since their 2019 state title. And this year, the hunger to return to the top is evident.
As the Tigers begin their journey through the Class 6A-Division I bracket, the question is simple: Is this the year Katy reclaims the throne?
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Bridgeland Coach Candi Weige speaks with her team, following their appearance in the State Semis
SENIOR SEND-OFF: Bridgeland stars establish legacy in historic season
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
Senior OF/P Haylie Stum
“Our chemistry is uncanny,” said senior OF/P Haylie Stum. “We just trust each other, and when we go down, we’re never out. The resiliency of this team is crazy and I hope that continues after I leave. To go out like this was great–we fought to the very end.”
Even more so, the culture and mentality of the composite group is what distinguished this Bridgeland team as one of the most watchable in the Houston area, if not the state.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
“There’s only one word that comes to mind when I think about what it was like to coach this group: Blessed,” said Candi Weige. “We are blessed, I am blessed. These girls have fought time and time again to be able to get here [the State Semifinals]. They did, and they showed out. I could not be more proud of them.”
During their playoff run, the major players--Stum (.439 BA, 19 RBI, 3 HR), senior 3B Trinity Allen (.378 BA, 10 RBI, 3 HR), and senior catcher Lilli Piersons (.447 BA, 12 RBI, 3 HR)--helped to elevate the Bears to new heights, serving as the “big sisters” of the young group.
Senior Catcher Lilli PiersonsMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“I loved being able to be a leader to these girls,” said Piersons. “They’ve helped me grow in so many aspects of my life–not just as an athlete, but personally as well. We’ve been through so much together and it’s such a blessing to have had a season like ours.”
Piersons’ soon-to-be teammate at McLennan, Trinity Allen, takes that one step further.
Both Trinity and her younger sister Chayne (Jr. OF) have played alongside one another for their entire softball careers. It seems only appropriate that the pair made history in their final season on the same field.
Senior 3B Trinity AllenMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“It’s been incredible,” said Trinity. “We’ve just fed off each other’s energy and when one of us has been down, the other would pick us back up. But, playing with Chayne--I’ve learned a lot from her because she leads in her own way. Bridgeland is going to keep thriving with her in the program.”
“Playing with Trinity has been wonderful,” Chayne said. “I continue to see her set an example, on and off the field–holding people accountable. I can’t wait to see what she does at McLennan.”
Chayne and junior RHP Sydney Jackson--2.04 ERA, 82 Ks in the playoffs--will be the next in line to step up as the leaders of the program, moving forward. Both understand they’ll have some big shoes to fill.
Junior RHP Sydney JacksonMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“The seniors were great role models, and I want to help keep that legacy going on,” said Jackson. “There’s a great group of younger classmen here, and we’ll have several of them starting next year. I think anybody on this team can stand up and become a leader moving forward.”
Count on the next generation of Bridgeland Softball making another run, a year from now, with the intention of breaking more barriers.
“This team has set something in stone that nobody will ever be able to take away from them,” said coach Weige. “The standard has been set for all these classes to come in, and now we know what it takes to make it to this point.”
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)