INSIDER
In just eight years since the program was established, Fulshear has ascended to be one of the most dominant forces in Texas high school volleyball. That trend hasn’t faltered in 2023.
With teams such as Grand Oaks, Cinco Ranch, and Fulshear making their way to Garland, TX this weekend, the potential for a championship is within their grasp. Inevitably, the climax to this year should be nothing less than a spectacle to witness.
If Fort Bend Christian Volleyball has proven anything through the first half of the season, it is not to underestimate them. Otherwise, they will promptly show that they mean business.
It comes as no surprise that Fulshear’s junior OH Bailey Warren has garnered the attention of college recruiters, after ascending to the leadership role on both her high school and club teams.
After graduating eight seniors off last year’s team, including the District-MVP Skylar George, who’s currently at Utah, what has been the motivation for coach Jennifer Adcock’s group, as Stratford (28-6) has ascended the rankings of H-Town volleyball?
Another week of district competition is in the books. While several of the perennial Houston volleyball powers remain on top of the power rankings, nothing is ever set in stone.
Earlier this season, she led movie night where the Friendswood Mustangs huddled to watch “When the Game Stands Tall”. The movie chronicles De La Salle High School, one of the nation’s best high school football teams.
Given the fact that she is a leading figure on both the Warriors cheerleading and volleyball teams, Armstrong- Behe is a difficult figure to miss on the school grounds.
Throughout their respective divisional matchups, Grand Oaks, Cinco Ranch and Stratford continue to dominate the Class 6A scene. Meanwhile, teams like College Park, Tompkins, Fort Bend Austin and Seven Lakes are re-establishing themselves as serious contenders.
VYPE caught up with The Woodlands Christian Academy Volleyball Coach Whitney Wofford at the VYPE TWCA Fall 2023 Media Day, discussing her first year as the head coach, the ongoing season and more!
VYPE caught up with a leader in Concordia Lutheran’s volleyball program, Rylee Henderson (Sr. OH) at the VYPE Concordia Lutheran Fall 2023 Media Day, discussing the season and more!
VYPE caught up with Concordia Lutheran Volleyball Coach at the VYPE Concordia Lutheran Fall 2023 Media Day, discussing her return to coaching, the season and more!
EVERY SO OFTEN, A TEAM WILL BE GRACED WITH AN ATHLETE WHO’S THE LIFE OF THE PARTY. Sterling volleyball’s Katy Barger takes on that role with ease.
Over the past week, not much has changed in terms of who the top teams are. Grand Oaks and Cinco Ranch are still battling for the top spot in Class 6A, while Fulshear and Barbers Hill maintain their exemplary standing in Class 5A.
She had a front-row seat as a freshman when Klein advanced to the State Finals in 2020. Now, she’s a senior and has a deeper perspective on the sport.
Davis has become one of the more exemplary athletes in the district during her tenure with the program, hence her first-team, all-district selection in 2022. However, her journey would indicate that the skill she possesses didn’t just appear out of nowhere.
From team and individual pictures, social media shout-outs and video interviews, it is all there for the student-athletes to feel like a superstar. VYPE had its Pasadena Volleyball 2023 Fall Media Day recently.
Grand Oaks remains to be THE team to beat in Class 6A, but fellow super-powers--Cinco Ranch, Langham Creek, Tompkins, and others--could give them a run for their money. Class 5A will likely continue to be dominated by Fulshear, Barbers Hill, and Foster, but don't sleep on the teams hot on their heels.
From team and individual pictures, social media shout-outs and video interviews, it is all there for the student-athletes to feel like a superstar. VYPE had its Lake Creek HS Volleyball 2023 Fall Media Day recently.
“Dani is such a raw athlete,” coach Sharonda Marshall said. “I had to push her when I first got here because her body was just… all over the place. That’s when she got the nickname. She’s stiffened up a lot and has so much poise on the court. She can touch 10-feet, 4-inches and is so aggressive on the front row. It’s scary.”
From team and individual pictures, social media shout-outs and video interviews, it is all there for the student-athletes to feel like a superstar. VYPE had its The Woodlands Volleyball 2023 Fall Media Day last month.
Greater Houston is led by super-power Grand Oaks in Class 6A, and Fulshear and Barbers Hill in Class 5A. After that, it’s up for grabs. New Cypress Ranch coach Collea McKinney has continued the Mustangs’ success and Cinco Ranch looks formidable in the tough District 19-6A. Foster looks like another contender in Class 5A.
VYPE caught up with new Legacy Prep Volleyball Head Coach Dustin Dunlavy at the VYPE Legacy Preparatory Christian Academy Fall 2023 Media Day about the season and more!
VYPE’s Matthew Ogle caught up with Cypress Christian School Volleyball Coach Chrissy Woodward at the VYPE CCS Fall 2023 Media Day, discussing the upcoming season and more!
From team and individual pictures, social media shout-outs and video interviews, it is all there for the student-athletes to feel like a superstar. VYPE had its Clear Lake HS Volleyball 2023 Fall Media Day last month.
The championship year came in the inaugural season of the Cydrce McMillian-era at Episcopal. The Knights bring back five starters off a 35-7 title team and look to go back-to-back. Mykayla McMillian comes back from an All-SPC campaign for the Knights. Other key returners include All South Zone selections Ally Frailey – who is committed to play beach volleyball at Santa Clara University – and Kara Thomas.
The list of accolades for Auguste is impressive, including being a part of the US Volleyball National Team Development Program, selected to the USA U19 Team, a TGCA 6A All-State pick and was the District 13-6A Most Valuable Blocker. Auguste finished 2022 with an astonishing 164 blocks, 336 kills and a 63.5 kill percentage.
Friendswood went 34-12 a year ago and reached the Regional Quarterfinals. Seven of the nine starters for Paulk return in 2023, led by sophomore Nadi’Ya Shelby, who was named the District 18-5A MVP and the Greater Houston Volleyball Coaches Association Newcomer of the Year. Shelby led the team in kills with 300 a year ago and vertically can reach 10-feet-6-inches.
The Chargers have reached the Regional Semifinals for three-straight seasons and look to break through the ceiling to make the program’s first-ever Regional Finals match.
As Sydney Zimmerman (247-81) enters her seventh season of leading the Chargers, she brings back a veteran team considering all her starters a year ago were just sophomores. That group led Fulshear to a 32-10 overall record, an undefeated District Championship, and to the Regional Semifinals.
From the middle-blocker position, Auguste’s 6-foot frame makes it challenging for any opponent to get the ball over the net, making her the undisputed recipient for the Conroe ISD Most Valuable Blocker Award in 2022.
The Spartans return four starters from the squad that went 27-16 a year ago. First-team setter Simone Romriell is back after racking up 1,014 assists in 2022. She also had 299 digs and 45 blocks last season.
Lauryn Bailey enters year five of leading Ridge Point and holds a 138-32 overall record in that span. Bailey brings back six starters off last year’s team, led by Lauren Battle and Kennedi Rogers.
THE DYNAMIC DUO IS BACK FOR ONE LAST RIDE FOR CORTNI COX’S DEER PARK DEER IN 2023. Since they were freshmen, Tatum Busch and Cayley Hanson have been stellar for the Deer each and every season.
The Class of 2025 star is the youngest of three girls who have been the first-family of volleyball for the Cougars. Sisters Madalyn and Courtney (Texas Tech) starred before her, laying the foundation for her career.
A YEAR AGO, CINCO RANCH WAS ONE WIN AWAY FROM ADVANCING TO THE UIL STATE VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT IN GARLAND. A loss to Tompkins ended the Cougars’ season in the Region III-6A Championship match. Now, Cinco Ranch will try and get back and beyond in 2023.
Magnolia West ended up getting the best of its district-mate Magnolia for the last postseason spot. The Mustangs bring back experience. Shannon Dworaczyk is one of the key returners for the ‘Stangs after recording 663 assists, 314 digs and 170 kills in her freshman campaign. That’s right, she did that as a freshman.
Coach Sarah Aguilar brings back committed athletes Taylor Larkin (Harvard) in the middle and Aspen Maxwell (Missouri) on the outside. Larkin had 100 blocks and Maxwell Kamiryn Edmonds and Angelica Medina will also provide some offense, while Anika Frausto will be the setter. Medina led the team in kills with 256.
Lake Creek reached the UIL State Tournament for the first time in program history going 32-17 overall. Now, as they enter 2023, the Lions will be under new leadership as Sheila Daniels takes over the helm.
THE LONGHORNS WON 30 MATCHES IN 2022 AND, ONCE IN THE PLAYOFFS, FELL IN THE BI-DISTRICT ROUND. NOW, GEORGE RANCH TURNS THE PAGE TO THE 2023 SEASON – WITH SOME EXPERIENCED PLAYERS RETURNING.
Hanson was the 2022 District MVP as a setter, hitter? The 6-footer is super-dynamic and will surpass 2,000 career assists and 1,000 career kills in the Fall. She also stars on Skyline’s top team during the offseason, where she travels across the country with some of Houston’s best to battle the nation’s best.
The Falcons have a veteran squad coming back led by Princeton-commit Jackie Onyechi, who was a TGCA All-State selection, a GHVCA pre and postseason team selection and the District 20-5A Offensive Player of the Year in 2022. Onyechi finished the year with a team-leading 364 kills and 66 blocks.
From team and individual pictures, social media shout-outs and video interviews, it is all there for the student-athletes to feel like a superstar. VYPE had its Lamar CISD 2023 Fall Media Day last week.
Six starters return off Candice Collins’ team that went 24-10 a year ago. Lacy Tinnell had a big freshman campaign racking up 305 kills to go along with 83 blocks and 78 digs to be named the District 13-6A Newcomer of the Year.
Her journey has had some interesting twists and turns, but the 6-foot-3 star has turned out just fine. She is now one of the most feared middles in the state of Texas and will head West to volleyball super-power UCLA next Fall.
A new coach Collea McKinney (assistant at The Woodlands) will take the reigns of the program, while Bianna Muoneke is off to Texas A&M leaving Cypress Ranch with a lot of offensive production to replace.
From team and individual pictures, social media shout-outs and video interviews, it is all there for the student-athletes to feel like a superstar. VYPE had its Willis ISD 2023 Fall Media Day last week.
THE SHARKS MAY HAVE FINISHED IN FOURTH PLACE IN DISTRICT A YEAR AGO BUT THAT CAME IN THE ALWAYS TOUGH DISTRICT 23-6A, WHICH INCLUDES THE LIKES OF PEARLAND, PEARLAND DAWSON AND ALVIN TO BATTLE NIGHT IN AND NIGHT OUT.
From team and individual pictures, social media shout-outs and video interviews, it is all there for the student-athletes to feel like a superstar. VYPE had its Brazoswood 2023 Volleyball Fall Media Day last week.
THE BULLDOGS MAY HAVE BEEN ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE PLAYOFF PICTURE A YEAR AGO, BUT THIS MAGNOLIA SQUAD BRINGS BACK SOME KEY PIECES TO GET BACK INTO THE POSTSEASON IN 2023
Cy-Fair followed up the regular season success and reached the Area Round before falling in five sets to Ridge Point. As the Bobcats turn the page to 2023, they will have to find some stat-stuffers on offense but will lean on Karina Smith (166 kills) to lead the attack early on.
The Knights were young a year ago, finishing in fourth in district play. Three of Clear Falls’ top four hitters are back in Jordyn Scribner (316 kills), Haylee Wright (240 kills) and Averie Tracy (140 kills).
From team and individual pictures, social media shout-outs and video interviews, it is all there for the student-athletes to feel like a superstar. VYPE had its Lamar CISD 2023 Fall Media Day last month.
Last year, Houston had five teams make the UIL State Volleyball Tournament in Class 6A, 5A and 4A. Katy Tompkins came the closest to a title, reaching the Class 6A State Championship before falling short to Dripping Springs.
Given the first-rate performance of reigning THSCA Defensive Player of the Year Alice Volpe, it’s no coincidence that the Bears have advanced to, at least, the Regional Finals each of the last two seasons.
Ty Shelby paved the way, leading the Mustang defense on the football field. He now plays for the San Diego Chargers. Then came Braylan Shelby, a 6-foot-5 outside linebacker carved from stone. He has just enrolled at USC.And then there is not-so-little sister NaDi’ya Shelby, who may be the best athlete of them all.
Concordia Lutheran volleyball is looking even scarier than before with the recent addition of Klein Collins transfer Carleigh Schluter. Over the weekend, the 5-foot-9 setter from Woodlands Revolution officially committed to play for Sam Houston State University when she graduates in 2025.
Bailey Warren's following in the footsteps of her older sister, Brielle, who graduated from Fulshear in 2022 and now plays for Purdue.
The Grizzlies can tally another one of their stars--incoming junior OH Samara Coleman -- as a future college athlete, with her recent commitment to the University of Pittsburgh.
From team and individual pictures, social media shout-outs and video interviews, it is all there for the student-athletes to feel like a superstar. VYPE had its Houston City-Wide 2023 Volleyball Media Day last week.
There is so much fun to be had at a VYPE Media Days! From team and individual pictures, social media shout-outs and video interviews, it is all there for the student-athletes to feel like a superstar. VYPE traveled out to the Fort Bend ISD for their 2023 Fall Media Day.
Fort Bend Travis’ Rachel Kessler is all in.The school's volleyball coach pitched in and took over the Travis golf team in the middle of the season. She also led the Lady Tiger volleyball team to a 25-12 record last Fall, earning a second-place finish in district play. Kessler did a great job with the golf team this Spring.
Welcome to our feature - the Klein ISD Athletes of the Month - highlighting some of the best student-athletes in one of the proudest districts in the state of Texas. One girl and one boy will be selected each month representing the independent school district.
Brazos volleyball relished in a remarkable year in which, they finished the regular season with a 31-12 record (12-2 district record), to secure their spot in the UIL State Playoffs.
JORDAN BOOTH HAS BEEN A CONSTANT WITHIN THE WOODLANDS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY VOLLEYBALL LOCKER ROOM SINCE HER FRESHMAN YEAR. BEFORE THAT TOO, WHEN SHE HUNG AROUND THE VARSITY SQUAD WHEN HER OLDER SISTER, RYANN, PLAYED.
WHEN THE WOODLANDS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY PACKS UP THE NETS AND VOLLEYBALLS AFTER THEIR 2022 SEASON, THE END-OF-THE-YEAR BANQUET IS GOING TO BE FILLED WITH GREAT MEMORIES AND LIFE-LONG FRIENDSHIPS.
Last year, Tompkins Volleyball met a disappointing end to their promising postseason, in which they fell to Ridge Point in the third round of the playoffs. However, this season has been a different story.
The volleyball postseason is upon us and several Greater Houston Area programs have a legit shot at bringing home the UIL State Title in their respective classifications.
