Tuesday Match to Watch: Fossil Ridge vs Byron Nelson
High school volleyball is underway in the state of Texas. Since the first week of August, teams from across the Lone Star State have been back on the court, battling each other in some fantastic matches, which are bringing the…
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Continue ReadingHigh school volleyball is underway in the state of Texas. Since the first week of August, teams from across the Lone Star State have been back on the court, battling each other in some fantastic matches, which are bringing the best of the sport in the state.
Every once in a while, we’ll use this space to recommend some matches to keep and eye on and, most importantly, some of the most interesting prospects you’ll want to watch if you have an opportunity.
This is one of the most exciting matches in the Dallas area on Tuesday, September 21:
Fossil Ridge vs Byron Nelson – 5pm
The Fossil Ridge Panthers from Keller are trying to transfer volleyball they played during preseason to league play as after winning 15 out of their first 23 matches, they lost the two district games they played so far. The team coached by Hollie Huston competes in the Class 6A, Region I – District 4.
The Byron Nelson Bobcats from Trophy Club are also with a negative district campaign so far, having won just one out of three matches in the Class 6A, Region I – District 4. Head coach Brianne Groth and her players have won 17 out of 31 matches so far and bounced back from consecutive losses with a win on Friday.
Players to Watch – Fossil Ridge
Lainee Pyles Lainee Pyles 6'3" | MB Fossil Ridge | 2024 State #47 Nation TX – Middle Blocker – Club: Madfrog – 2024
Not many players, let alone middle blockers, get to be so dominant and central to their teams as Lainee Pyles Lainee Pyles 6'3" | MB Fossil Ridge | 2024 State #47 Nation TX . The 6’2” prospect immediately transformed Fossil Ridge with her play, becoming a key piece for the Panthers. Ranked 11th on our 2024 Prep Dig State Rankings and recently included in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Phenom List, Pyles is also a standout beach volleyball player. This season she has already registered 285 kills, 43 aces, 21 blocks, 231 passes and 180 digs for her team, showcasing her complete game.
Aaliyah Toppin – Outside Hitter/Middle Blocker – Club: NRG Volleyball – 2024
Another versatile player of the class of 2024 to be part of the Panthers’ roster, Aaliyah Toppin can play anywhere on the net. She’s technically an outside hitter, but also hits and blocks in the middle for the team. Her backcourt skills are still a work in progress, but Toppin is already an extremely effective offensive player, having tallied 128 kills already in the season, and an exceptional server, having registered a team-high 59 aces.
Players to Watch – Byron Nelson
Samantha Hoppes Samantha Hoppes 6'1" | RS Byron Nelson | 2023 State TX – Right Sider – Club: Drive Nation – 2023
A six-foot, left-handed right sider with a cannon of an arm, Samantha Hoppes Samantha Hoppes 6'1" | RS Byron Nelson | 2023 State TX has been doing a great job in leading Byron Nelson’s offense this season as she’s tallied 423 kills so far, averaging 4.6 per set. Hoppes can hit any angle from the right and will punish opposing blockers any time they leave a gap. She’s also an excellent blocker and server, ranking second in the Bobcats’ roster in both categories with 52 stuffs and 26 aces. Her backcourt game is also well above-average for a right sider as she ranks third in both passes (247) and digs (179). She ranks 42nd on our 2023 Prep Dig State Rankings.
Lillian Croshaw Lillian Croshaw 6'3" | RS Northwest | 2024 State #164 Nation TX – Middle Blocker – Club: Madfrog – 2024
The duel between Madfrog teammates Pyles and Lillian Croshaw Lillian Croshaw 6'3" | RS Northwest | 2024 State #164 Nation TX is one of the things that make this match very promising. As with her club teammate, Croshaw, who ranks 25th on our 2024 Prep Dig State Rankings, is very physical at 6’2” and does a great job in producing at the net. She hits a variety of different sets in the middle and can also be set higher at the pins and will produce. Her block is huge and normally very well set up. Croshaw has produced 80 kills and a team-high 65 blocks for the Bobcats so far in the season.