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With the tournament portion of the Fall season having come and gone, the Texas high school volleyball landscape now has a more vivid picture of who the heavy-hitters are.
But, as anyone with knowledge of the sport can recognize, district contention is a entirely different beast.
Regarding the San Antonio-area, Class 6A has been dominated by the likes of O'Connor and Harlan up to this point, with Brennan, Reagan, and Madison each enjoying impressive starts as well.
District 26-5A is likely going to be a photo finish, as Pieper, Boerne-Champion, and New Braunfels are equally talented and well coached, which should be intriguing for audiences to witness.
Additionally, Davenport and Floresville are noteworthy candidates within Class 4A.
Given that information, here is our list of exemplary San Antonio volleyball programs who are looking to carry their momentum over to the imminent postseason in the coming weeks.
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VYPE San Antonio Combined (6A-4A) Top-20 Volleyball Rankings
1. O'Connor Panthers (6A) -- 23-6 // 3-0 in District 29-6A
2. SA Harlan Hawks (6A) -- 22-5 // 1-1 in District 29-6A
3. Pieper Warriors (5A) -- 22-6 // 3-0 in District 26-5A
4. Brennan Bears (6A) -- 23-6 // 1-1 in District 29-6A
5.SA Reagan Rattlers (6A) -- 14-11 // 0-0 in District 28-6A
6. Boerne-Champion Chargers (5A) -- 23-4 // 2-0 in District 26-5A
7. New Braunfels Unicorns (5A) -- 22-10 // 1-1 in District 26-5A
8. Davenport Wolves (4A) -- 23-6 // 0-0 in District 27-4A
9. Madison Mavericks (6A) -- 19-10 // 0-0 in District 28-6A
10. Canyon Cougars (6A) -- 20-10 // 0-0 in District 29-6A
11.Clark Cougars (6A) -- 15-13 // 0-0 in District 28-6A
12. Tivy Antlers (5A) -- 18-8 // 2-1 in District 26-5A
13. SA Johnson Jaguars (6A) -- 14-13 // 0-0 in District 28-6A
14. Floresville Tigers (4A) -- 18-6 // 0-0 in District 27-4A
15. Stevens Falcons (6A) -- 15-13 // 1-1 in District 29-6A
16. Burbank Bulldogs (5A) -- 22-5 // 2-0 in District 27-5A
17. Sotomayor Wildcats (6A) -- 16-10 // 1-2 in District 28-6A
18. Northside Jay Mustangs (5A) -- 18-6 // 1-0 in District 28-5A
19. Clemens Buffaloes (6A) -- 15-14 // 0-0 in District 29-6A
20. San Marcos Rattlers (6A) -- 11-10 // 0-0 in District 29-6A
In what feels like the blink of an eye, we are already entering the third week of the new season on the gridiron.
As it stands, Cibolo Steele remains the top program out of SATX, as coach David Saenz and company put on a clinic against fellow contender Reagan this past Saturday.
Reagan will look to get back in the win column this week, when they host Temple on their home turf.
Meanwhile, Brennan, Harlan, SA Johnson, and Comal Canyon are among the numerous teams who are right on their heels within.
Smithson Valley is on a mission to return to the State Title game and have the talent to back that notion. Furthermore, Alamo Heights and Pieper have enjoyed fast starts this Fall, with Wagner and New Braunfels comprising some of the other contenders within Class 5A.
In Class 4A, Davenport has emerged as one of the state's premier rosters and should be on the path to a deep playoff-run come, November.
With all that being said, check out the updated list of teams who are climbing the ladder of contention to begin the year.
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VYPE San Antonio Combined (6A-4A) Top-20 Rankings
*Last parentheses indicates most recent game result
1. Cibolo Steele Knights (6A) -- 2-0 (62-34 W v. SA Reagan) // Next Matchup: 9/14 vs. Brandeis
2. Reagan Rattlers (6A) -- 1-1 (34-62 L v. Cibolo Steele) // Next Matchup: 9/13 vs. Temple
3. Brennan Bears (6A) -- 1-1 (24-13 W v. Smithson Valley) // Next Matchup: 9/12 vs. Sotomayor
4. Smithson Valley Rangers (5A) -- 1-1 (13-24 L v. Brennan) // Next Matchup: 9/13 @ Madison
5. Alamo Heights Mules (5A) -- 2-0 (21-7 W v. Churchill) // Next Matchup: 9/13 @ Canyon
6. Harlan Hawks (6A) -- 1-1 (31-23 W v. Madison) // Next Matchup: 9/19 vs. Brennan
7. Pieper Warriors (5A) -- 2-0 (38-24 W v. SA Johnson) // Next Matchup: 9/13 @ Davenport
8. SA Johnson Jaguars (6A) -- 1-1 (24-38 L v. Pieper) // Next Matchup: 9/13 vs. McAllen Memorial
9. SA Wagner Thunderbirds (5A) -- 0-1 (6-35 L v. Dripping Springs) // Next Matchup: 9/13 @ San Marcos
10. Canyon Cougars (6A) -- 1-1 (38-21 W v. New Braunfels) // Next Matchup: 9/13 vs. Alamo Heights
11. SA Davenport Wolves (4A) -- 2-0 (52-34 W v. Tivy) // Next Matchup: 9/13 vs. Pieper
12. Converse Judson Rockets (6A) -- 1-1 (31-29 W v. Hutto) // Next Matchup: 9/12 vs. SA Roosevelt
13. New Braunfels Unicorns (5A) -- 1-1 (21-38 L v. Canyon) // Next Matchup: 9/13 vs. Del Rio
14. East Central Hornets (6A) -- 1-1 (55-28 W v. SA Roosevelt) // Next Matchup: 9/13 vs. Clark
15. Brandeis Broncos (6A) -- 1-1 (24-3 W v. Sotomayor) // Next Matchup: 9/14 @ Cibolo Steele
16. Taft Raiders (6A) -- 1-1 (24-26 L v. Eagle Pass) // Next Matchup: 9/13 @ SA Marshall
17. Churchill Chargers (6A) -- 1-1 (7-21 L v. Alamo Heights) // Next Matchup: 9/13 @ Clemens
18. Sotomayor Wildcats (6A) -- 1-1 (3-24 L v. Brandeis) // Next Matchup: 9/12 @ Brennan
19. SA Marshall Rams (6A) -- 1-1 (0-40 L v. Flour Bluff) // Next Matchup: 9/13 vs. Taft
20. Bandera Bulldogs (4A) -- 2-0 (28-21 W v. Ingram Moore) // Next Matchup: 9/13 vs. Lytle
THROUGHOUT HER TENURE WITHIN THE VIKINGS VOLLEYBALL PROGRAM, MADI POLASEK HAS GRADUALLY ASCENDED INTO A LEADERSHIP POSITION WITH A VOCAL PRESENCE.
More often than not, she lets her actions do the talking, as she most recently as she most recently registered over 300 kills and digs to earn an all-district honorable mention a year ago.
So, where did it all begin for the incoming senior outside hitter?
“I started when I was in about second grade,” said Polasek. “I came home with a flyer that was for Upward Volleyball here in College Station and I thought it would be a fun thing to do. So, I made my older sister join with me because – being the youngest – you don’t want to do anything by yourself.
“From there, I progressed to club volleyball (TAV Houston, then BCS Skyline) and that’s where I really found my passion. I got caught up in all the work that goes into it, getting reps everyday, countless hours of preparation. Once you find something like that, it really shows you what you’re capable of.”
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Unfortunately, her journey hit a snag over the course of the summer, when something unexpected happened that altered Polasek’s trajectory heading into this season.
When she was tubing on the lake with her friends and sister, she sustained a knee injury when she and the tube flipped over at a sharp angle, resulting in her requiring surgery.
Consequently, that meant that she would be unable to play during her final year on the Bryan High squad.
Despite that, Polasek isn’t one to indulge in self-pity.
“After the injury, I already knew that I couldn’t dwell on the past,” she said. “There’s nothing to do about it now. So, my mentality going into this last season is to understand that it’s going to be rocky at first. But I hope to be a positive role model and help guide others to reach their full potential, with a newer perspective.”
Polasek’s steadfast optimism is sure to be infectious for her teammates, when she takes on a slightly different role this Fall, alongside first-year head coach Emily Hubacek.
Considering the determination she’s shown up to this point, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to know what her future might hold.
“Once I graduate, I plan on hopefully getting a scholarship to play volleyball in college,” Polasek said. “Then, I intend to get my Bachelor’s degree and go into the cosmetology field. I love doing hair and making people feel beautiful, in order for them to express themselves in the best way. So, hopefully I pass my state board exam this year, because I’ve got a lot of hours I need to reach.”
In life, we are often defined by our resiliency in the face of adversity, and Madi Polasek is no exception.
After all, the way in which she has carried herself has equated to her becoming a remarkable student-athlete with tremendous resolve.
She may not be back inaction for some time, but the fact remains that her future is still bright.
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