Playoff Match to Watch: Ann Richards vs Hendrickson
It’s time! The high school volleyball season enters a pivotal moment in the state of Texas with the start of the playoffs and us, at Prep Dig, will be following all the action just like you. After nearly three months…
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Continue ReadingIt’s time! The high school volleyball season enters a pivotal moment in the state of Texas with the start of the playoffs and us, at Prep Dig, will be following all the action just like you.
After nearly three months of regular season, only the best teams of each district remain in contention and from now on, there’s no more room for errors as a setback will mean the end of the season and, for the many seniors, spread across the Lone Star state, the ending point of their high school careers.
This week will feature the bi-district and area matches and we’ll use this space to recommend a match to watch every day of action, as we’ve done during the season.
We start with the 5A Class matchup between Ann Richards and Hendrickson on Monday, November 1:
Ann Richards vs Hendrickson – 6.30pm
This is a rare playoff meeting between two teams that lost less than ten times during the regular season. Based in Austin, Ann Richards ended the season with a 16-9 win record and won 12 and lost just four times in league play, enough to rank third in the Region III, District 17. The Hawks from the Hendrickson High School from Pflugerville were even stronger, topping the Region III, District 18 with an undefeated campaign of 14 victories and ending the regular season with an impressive 38-5 win record.
Players to Watch – Ann Richards
Nora Willis – Outside Hitter – Club: Austin Juniors – 2022
An explosive 5’10” outside hitter, Nora Willis is Ann Richards’ go-to scoring option. With a well-diversified set of hits and shots, she can put the ball on the floor from anywhere on the court and her team uses that as much they can. Willis is the only player in the roster to have reached three digits in kills – she’s currently at 188, averaging 3.9 per set – and is also an important piece on the backcourt, having tallied 110 digs and 125 passes in the regular season.
Alondra Garcia – Libero – Club: Austin Juniors – 2024
A second-year libero for Ann Richards, Alondra Garcia has provided the team some much-needed level of stability in the backcourt. A very technical and quick player, the 5’6” Garcia leads the team’s defensive system and currently ranks first in both digs (168) and passes (211). She has also produced 28 aces, the second-highest mark in the entire squad.
Players to Watch – Hendrickson
Ella Wendel Ella Wendel 6'0" | MB Hendrickson | 2022 State TX – Middle Blocker – Club: Skyline Juniors – 2022
A starter for Hendrickson since her first season of high school volleyball, in 2018, Ella Wendel Ella Wendel 6'0" | MB Hendrickson | 2022 State TX has proven even more important to the Hawks in her senior year. The 6’1” middle blocker’s strong play is one of the main reasons for the team’s solid campaign this season as Wendel leads Hendrickson in blocks (76), ranks second in kills (318) and third in aces (47). She’s also a surprisingly good defender for a middle, having dug 151 balls this season.
Karys Dove – Setter – Club: Austin Performance – 2022
The leadership of senior setter Karys Dove has also played a big part in Hendrickson’s solidness as a team. The 5’7” Dove has been in great form all season with the Hawks and has arguably played the best volleyball of her career as a setter, running the team’s offense and helping on the little things that often are the difference between winning of losing a match. The setter has recently crossed the mark of 1,000 assists in a season for the first time in her career – she’s currently at 1,030, to an average of 10.8 per set – and has also produced in high volume with her defense (301 digs) and serves (54 aces). Her 40 blocks at the net are also impressive for a shorter player.