GAMES
RANKINGS
The featured standouts of the 2026–27 The Woodlands Highlanders volleyball team.
THE SETUP: No. 30 The Woodlands | VYPE Houston Volleyball 2026 Preseason Rankings
The Woodlands is coming off a 23-19 season in which the Highlanders advanced to the Area Round of the playoffs. They were on the verge of reaching the Regional Semifinals before falling to Cy Ranch in a five-set thriller.
First-team all-district selection Cate Vickers returns at outside hitter after recording 215 kills last season. Honorable mention picks Olivia Hertel, a libero who totaled 327 digs and 565 serve receptions, and outside hitter Brynn Lagasse, who finished with 296 kills and 156 digs, also return for the Highlanders.
Other players to watch include Claire Tidwell (OH), Elizabeth Kath (MB) and Tinley Williams (Libero).
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Cate Vickers (Sr. OH) of The WoodlandsMatt Powell (VYPE)
THE WRAP: Top Five Performances from the State 7on7 Tournament
This weekend some of the state's top talent made their way to College Station for the State seven-on-seven tournament from Thursday to Saturday.
The Keller Central Chargers won the Division One championship over Allen in a 26-21 thriller as the Chargers scored the game winning touchdown on an untimed down.
Defending Division One champion The Woodlands reached the semifinal game of the championship bracket as well as Austin power Lake Travis.
VYPE was on site for the tournament and after watching the games throughout the weekend here are the Top five player performances from the State seven-on-seven weekend.
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2029 ALLEN QUARTERBACK TY SNELL
Allen was dominant throughout the entire State 7-on-7 Tournament, finishing with a 7-1 record. Their only loss came in the Division I championship game against Keller Central. 2029 Eagles quarterback Ty Snell delivered an elite performance all weekend, showing why he is regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in the country in the Class of 2029. Snell possesses a big arm, effortlessly drives the ball downfield, and consistently displays outstanding accuracy. Expect the rising sophomore to have a breakout season this fall.
2028 KELLER CENTRAL ATHLETE ISAIAH TAYLOR
The Keller Central Chargers won the Division One State 7-On-7 championship after an impressive run on Saturday during bracket play. While 2028 athlete Isaiah Taylor is one of the top recruits in the country at the cornerback position he was crucial in the Chargers championship win on the offensive side of the ball playing quarterback. The Chargers just missed the playoffs in 2025 but with momentum of winning the State 7-On-7 championship and Isaiah Taylor at the helm leading the offense, expect Keller Central to be a playoff contender in 2026.
2028 THE WOODLANDS QUARTERBACK KADEN COPELIN
The Woodlands was the defending Division One State 7-On-7 champion going into the 2026 tournament and fell just short of the championship game falling in the semifinal to Allen. With the departure of now TCU quarterback Jack Daulton their posed questions about who will step up in that role... enter Kaden Copelin. Copelin saw limited playing time a year ago but showed a lot of promise throughout the tournament this weekend. The rising junior has a big arm and his accuracy was on point all weekend fitting the ball into some tight windows. Currently holds two offers from SMU and Syracuse and expect a breakout junior season for the Highlander QB this fall.
2029 ALLEN WIDE RECEIVER ZACH WILLIAMS
Zach Williams put on quite the performance at the State 7-on-7 tournament this weekend hauling in 18 touchdowns throughout both pool play and the championship bracket. Williams posses great speed and quickness and has the ability to get open No matter where he is at on the field. The Allen wide receiver has a strong connection with quarterback Ty Snell and both are primed for big sophomore seasons next fall. Williams holds early offers from 32 division one programs across the country.
2027 CY RANCH QUARTERBACK BRADEN BAKER - HOUSTON COMMIT
Cy Ranch quarterback and Houston commit Braden Baker showed why he is one of the top quarterbacks not only in Houston but in the state of Texas this weekend. Baker helped lead the Mustangs to the fourth round of the championship bracket and made some impressive throws throughout the weekend. Baker is looking towards a big senior season as the Mustangs look to be a team due for a deep playoff run in 2026.