Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
The South Houston area is loaded with talented athletes who give it there all in their respective fields of play.
Welcome to the VYPE Playmakers powered by UTMB Health, where we’re highlighting five standouts from this past week who stole the headlines.
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Month, as the Winter season wraps up, and we transition to the Spring.
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Emma Merritt, Pearland Girls Soccer
Photo acquired via Twitter (@emmammerritt)
The Lady Oilers have surged on the pitch this Winter, as they re-claimed the District 23-6A title to cap off an exceptional regular season.
Their 16-3-3 (11-1 in district) record places Pearland firmly within the top-10 of our rankings as teams state-wide prepare for the upcoming UIL playoffs.
Coach Elise Cox's club is emboldened by a high-powered offense, led by senior Emma Merritt. As the center forward for the Oilers, Merritt is naturally one of the team's top scorers.
She possesses a keen eye for positioning off the ball, quick reactions during the attack, and a particular skill in finishing that will be essential for Pearland, as they look to make a deep run in the postseason.
It all begins when they kick off against Clear Falls this upcoming Tuesday.
Blake Encarnacion, Friendswood Baseball
Doug Brown (VYPE)
The first half of the baseball season has seen Friendswood pick up right where they left off in 2023.
With their current record of 17-3-1 (2-2 in district), the Mustangs seem poised for another potential district title.
While there are a number of stellar bats in coach Robert Benavides' lineup, his ace on the mound -- senior Blake Encarnacion -- has been a true difference-maker in the tight matchups they face.
The Nebraska-signee has been throwing in the low-90's, along with a number of pitches in his arsenal, which means there's no surprise that he has had a knack for racking up strikeouts.
While they are coming off a close losses against district opponent Santa Fe, Friendswood will still likely have the opportunity to rally in their remaining district schedule.
Peyton Tanner, Brazoswood Softball
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
Brazoswood is off to yet another hot start to the Spring, having gone 18-7 thus far, which includes a 5-0 beginning to their district campaign.
That shouldn't come as a shock, considering the majority of last year's roster that finished as Area Finalists has returned to the fold.
The key piece, of which, Tennessee-signee Peyton Tanner, is looking every bit as dynamic as she was when earned District 24-6A honors in 2023.
As the Lady Bucs continue with the district portion of their schedule and seek their 20th-consecutive playoff appearance, it is almost a guarantee that Tanner will have a major role.
Alex Escobar, Dobie Soccer
Photo acquired via Twitter (@DobieBoysSoccer)
What a milestone-year it has been for the Dobie Soccer program.
Currently touting a record of 17-2-2 (11-1 in district), the Longhorns capped off the regular season by clinching the team's tenth-straight District 22-6A championship.
Here's another crazy stat for you -- over the span of that time, Dobie's overall record is 112-7-16 (W-L-T).
Suffice it to say, coach Justo Manrique and company are well within the conversation of being one of the best teams in Houston.
Therefore, it should go without saying that one of the leading scorers for the Longhorns -- senior forward Alex Escobar -- is a player to keep on notice.
As a captain for the squad, it will be up to him to provide the necessary experience with the playoffs on the horizon.
Katiana Maldonado, Lutheran South Academy Softball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
As expected, Lutheran South (12-1; 2-0 in district) has been a force to be reckoned with the open the Spring.
Under the direction of head coach Nicole Andrade, the Pioneers have displayed a number of exceptional performances by stars such as Addison Smith, Bri Collazo, and Lauren Brown.
However, it will be up to the veteran leadership -- particularly that of senior Kat Maldonado -- to propel LSA beyond last year's mark of reaching the TAPPS-II Regional round.
Following a 2023 second-team, all-state nod, Maldonado hasn't skipped a beat, and will be vital in the remainder of their district schedule and likely playoff berth.
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After bringing the title home last season, the Flower Mound Marcus Lady Marauders have been focusing their energy into creating another great season for the program. As they gear up to break into the playoffs, VYPE DFW takes a look at their season so far and what fans can expect as they battle forward:
Regular Season Play
Starting their season off with several strong victories over tough opponents, the Lady Marauders showcased their ability to remain at the top. Opening the season with two big victories over Arlington Martin (3-0) and Midlothian (5-0), the team knew they had what it took to take down big opponents. Through non-district play, athletes like Bry Russell, Aubrey Tipton, Dylan Howard, Ella Dunn, Savannah Wylie, Emma Fioretti, and others helped sharpen the program's skill on the field while taking down the likes of Montverde Academy (4-0), Midland (8-0), Harlingen (5-0), and more.
Despite opening district play with two losses and a draw, the team was able to dust off and prepare to continue their season with resiliency and a focused spirit. Posting necessary victories over Plano West (2-0), Plano (5-0), Plano East (7-1), Lewisville (7-0), and others, the Lady Marauders finished fourth in their district standings with a 7-4-3 district record (13-6-4 overall). Securing a playoff spot, the team knew the had to prepare for excellence into the postseason.
What's Ahead
The team is focused on their first playoff game this season as they gear up to take on a tough Allen squad. Given their strong start against formidable opponents and their ability to rally after hard-fought moments, the Lady Marauders are poised to bring a high level of resilience and strategic gameplay into the game against Allen. The team's depth and versatility is a testament to their capacity to secure decisive victories proving that the Lady Marauders are well-prepared to contend with the pressure and intensity that define their upcoming playoff match.
Scheduled to get underway at 6 p.m., the team will face Allen at McKinney ISD Stadium on Monday, March 25.
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