Enjoy the games from Wednesday, January 20, 2021!
The stars of 2025-26 Grand Oaks Volleyball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
GRAND OAKS DID IT AGAIN.
The Grizzlies defended their crown in 2024 as they went 42-7 and claimed the Class 6A-Division I State Championship over Fulshear, marking back-to-back title acquisitions.
So, now it’s time to talk about a three-peat!
Winning a trio of consecutive championships in the UIL 6A classification is a feat that's only been accomplished on one prior occasion -- by the Hebron Hawks, between 2015 and 2017.
Eighth-year coach Morgan Rogers (239-56 at Grand Oaks) returns five starters to see that goal fulfilled, including Wisconsin-commit and two-time 6A-DI State MVP Halle Thompson.
The senior was a TGCA 6A All-State and THSCA 6A Super Elite Team selection and the District 13-6A Most Valuable Offensive Player. By season's end, Thompson finished with 656 kills, a .332 hitting percentage, a 41.9 kill percentage, and 322 digs.
Senior libero Cali Reece is back on the defensive side after earning first-team, all-district and TGCA 6A All-State recognition in 2024. Individually, Reece registered 478 digs, 114 assists and 57 aces.
Other players to watch include Mia Owens (81 kills, 35.8 kill percentage,.230 hitting percentage), Hailey Lotspeich, Julia Flessas and Kate Bull.
Keys to success for Grand Oaks include "staying humble, but staying hungry, and re-establishing their new identity," per Coach Rogers.
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FRIENDSWOOD KNOCKED ON THE DOOR OF REACHING THE 5A-D2 STATE SEMIS A YEAR AGO, FINISHING 38-9 OVERALL AND REACHING THE REGIONAL FINALS.
Sarah Paulk, who enters her 10th year at Friendswood (294-100 at Friendswood, 359-149 overall) returns six starters to the huddle including University of Florida-commit Nadi'ya Shelby, who is the reigning District 20-5A MVP.
University of North Dakota-commit Haley Patton was the Defensive District MVP, while Navy-commit Caroline Adams earned first-team, all-district honors.
Also earning first-team, all-district was Gabby Palermo, while Sarah Grace Hickl, Raylee Bosley and Caden Carter (University of New Orleans-commit) earned second-team honors.
Taliah Benson (Lemoyne University-commit) is back after being injured last year.
Others to watch include Ellie Leitko and Ashley Adams.
Keys to success for Paulk’s team include establishing two new middles and their serve-receive.
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IN 2024, STRATFORD FINISHED AS ONE OF THE LAST TWO TEAMS STANDING IN TEXAS IN CLASS 6A-DIVISION II.
The Spartans made a run to the title game, marking the program’s first championship appearance since 2002, before ultimately falling short to the No. 1 nationally-ranked Byron Nelson Bobcats -- finishing the year 42-3 overall.
Jenny Adcock (10 seasons, 217-145) brings back four starters, including Grand Canyon University-commit Audrey Cook. The setter was the District 17-6A Co-MVP after registering 1,326 assists, 375 digs, 66 aces and 54 blocks. Cook has 2,556 career assists entering 2025.
Senior OH Gwen Koss (Providence College) was the other half of the District 17-6A Co-MVP ballot, and finished with 493 kills, 451 digs, 78 aces and 38 blocks in 2024 -- bringing her career kill-total to 2,092.
Other pivotal returners include District 17-6A Newcomer of the Year Tess Stephenson (211 kills, 95 blocks), Milena Miladinovic (129 blocks (17-6A All-District 2nd Team), Caroline White and Lauren Dunwoody.
Keys to success include ball control, out of system offense, establishing a new libero and middle blocker effectiveness, according to Adcock.
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