George Ranch Volleyball is back into play! Go Longhorns!
Olivia Raymond
VYPE U Look Out: 6 Hotshot Players Return to the George Ranch Volleyball Courts
Out of thousands of Volleyball athletes nation-wide, six of our own George Ranch varsity players have been selected to be apart of the AVCA Phenom watch list and the Under Armour All American watch list for unsigned seniors. AVCA invites the uncommitted athletes who are selected to join the Phenom College Preparatory Program, which gives the participating players a grand chance of playing in college. Two of our six returning athletes were asked a series of questions pertaining to the difficulties of dealing with the COVID-19 Pandemic, and how this change altered their club seasons and training over summer.
The players who were selected for the 2020 AVCA Phenom watch list are the following: Alexandra Szech (11th) verbally committed to Baylor University, Logan Lednicky (11th) verbally committed to Texas A&M University, Avery Shimaitis (11th), and Riley Steubing (10th). The senior players who were selected for the Under Armour All-American Watch list are the following: Alexandra Tennon (12th) verbally committed to Quinnipac University, and Brianna Steubing (12th).
Alexandra Szech, who is an 11th grader this season, is verbally committed to Baylor University. Here's a view into how Szech had to adapt to the pandemic.
- VYPE U: What have you done over the prolonged six-month quarantine to stay in volleyball shape?
- Szech: To stay in shape over quarantine I would run at least 2.5 miles a day and do some sort of plyometric volleyball workout during the day.
- VYPE U: What do you expect for this upcoming season from yourself or your team as a whole?
- Szech: This season I hope to go super far in playoffs and win state! I think this goal is so attainable with hard work and determination! My biggest goal this season is to do everything in my power to this team excel!
Avery Shimaitis who is an 11th grader this season, and is one of GRHS lead outside hitters. Here's a view into how Shimaitis' feels about this upcoming season, and the difficulties of adapting to this pandemic.
- VYPE U: What do you expect for this upcoming season from yourself or your team as a whole?
- Shimaitis: Our team is really strong, so I expect us to thrive this season. We are all really competitive and driven. We want to make up for our past years, so we are ready to to do what it takes to get to State!
- VYPE U: What have you done over the prolonged six-month quarantine to stay in volleyball shape?
- Shimaitis: Over the 6-month quarantine I have stayed very active by running around my neighborhood every day and working out at F45. I was also getting volleyball reps at my volleyball gym every weekend!
The Longhorn team is coming in hot and strong this 2020 season. With three verbally committed athletes, and the six players who are on watchlists, The GRHS Varsity squad has a very successful path ahead of them!
Olivia Raymond
Alexandra Szech (11) and Alexandra Tennon (12) attempt to block their opponents hit.
Senior Natalie Kimmel and Junior Lily McWhorter go up for a block on the right side.
Photo by Marysa Barela.
VYPE U: Woodlands Volleyball Masks up
TWHS Volleyball is practicing for their upcoming season in the 6A division. The team had nine valuable players graduate last year and another valuable sophomore, Julieta Valdes, refrain from playing this season due to health conditions. Although the team is looking strong this year with five of their six seniors (Natasha Zorbas, Clara Brower, Claire Arend, Jackie Lee, Natalie Kimmel) making the Phenom All American Watch List. Zorbas and Brower also were selected for the 2020 All-VYPE Public School Preseason Teams and Brower made the 1st Team Pre-season All-American Max Preps.
Four of the six seniors are extending their volleyball careers: Claire Arend committed to High Point University last month, Jackie Lee committed to Texas State in June, Natasha Zorbas committed to Lafayette in May, and Clara Brower committed to Georgia in 2018. With a total of six new players on the team, we are expecting a different dynamic from the team and are looking forward to their season. The Woodlands defeated Klein Collins in straight sets to start the season last night.
Photo by Marysa Barela.
Senior Natalie Kimmel and Junior Lily McWhorter go up for a block on the right side.