MEMORIAL REACHED THE AREA ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS IN 2024 AND RETURN TWO STARTERS OFF THAT TEAM.
Kaddie Platt enters her seventh year at Memorial (151-100) and her 30th year of coaching overall. Counting her time at the University of Houston and Houston Baptist University, Platt sits at 744 career coaching victories across high school and college entering 2025.
District 17-6A Defensive Player of the Year Kassia Tan is back for Platt. The senior was also first-team, all-district selection; AVCA Phenom Watchlist, in addition to being a GHVCA Postseason team pick. Tan hit the 1,000 career digs mark in 2024 with 536 on the season.
District 17-6A Setter of the Year Ella Ross is back after registering 621 assists last year, averaging 5.1 assists perset. Ross surpassed the 1,000 career assists milestone in 2024. Other key returners include Anna Scott Tom (1.3 blocks per game, hit .308), who will have a big presence on offense while also being a critical blocking threat.
Also back is Addie Beckcom, who is a “scrappy competitor”.
Other players to watch are Sophie Sharp, Taylor Harting, Mary Schwieder, Tesa Solis, Bess Berg, Adelyn Johnson and Mary Alan Reeves.
CLEAR SPRINGS REACHED THE AREA ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS IN 2024 AND FINISHED WITH A 29-17 OVERALL RECORD.
Shannon McClellan enters her 14th year leading the Chargers (345-190) and returns four starters, including Trinity University-commit Kaitlyn DeBondt. The Clear Springs middle blocker was named the District 24-6A Newcomer of the Year after registering 182 kills, 170 blocks and 31 digs in 2024.
Caylee Young will dictate the offense at the outside hitter position after racking up 496 kills in 2024. Young also chipped in 345 digs, 53 blocks and 33 aces on her way to a first-team, all-district selection.
Other key returners include Libero Lianna Kearns (502 digs, 54 assists, 32 aces) and setter Karmen O’Quinn (496 assists, 195 digs; second-team, all-district).
“A key to our success is that we have good team chemistry and all 8 of my returners have quality game time experience,” McClellan said.
Clear Springs will lean on their motto “Strength in Unity” as they strive for a deep playoff run in 2025.
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MELISSA MARTIN ENTERS YEAR THREE OF LEADING THE BELLAIRE VOLLEYBALL PROGRAM.
The Cardinals went 25-10 a year ago and reached the Area Round of the playoffs.
Five starters return for Martin including District 18-6A Newcomer of the Year Grace Jackson. The now-sophomore registered 112 kills and a team-leading 92 blocks.
Senior Lucy Bannerman is back after registering 179 kills along with a solid junior class of Olivia Wang (172 kills), Eva Muscal (126 kills, 77 aces, 65 blocks) and Allison Barker (472 assists, 181 digs, 60 kills, 68 aces).
Another player to watch is Leia Lacson (97 digs, 46 aces). Keys to success for Bellaire include the core group of returning players, strength of players moving up from JV and offseason workouts and conditioning.
They will look to “Trust the Process” in 2025.
GAMES
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