UIL 6A State Champs – Brandeis Broncos

<p>Keller vs Brandeis for the State Championship. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/IMG_2731-crop-3226x2118-1638240185.jpg"><img class="wp-image-167576 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/IMG_2731-crop-3226x2118-1638240185-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="284" height="186" /></a>Keller came in to the championship match with a 32-12 overall record.  They San Antonio Brandeis had a great season with an overall record of 46-2 coming into the championship match.  Both teams were red hot throughout the playoffs and this match could have gone either way.  Both teams have everything you want in a team from amazing setting, lights out attacking, and stellar defense.  Coaches always talk about the fact that each point matters in a set.  This match could have easily gone another way at any point of every set.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>In set one, both teams showed exactly who they are and neither backed down from each other.  It was point for point the entire way with neither team gaining a true edge.  Brandeis’ [player_tooltip player_id="87481" first="Jalyn" last="Gibson"] was throwing some haymakers and Keller’s dynamic duo of [player_tooltip player_id="141123" first="Landry" last="McEachern"] and Kea Whillock were putting on a clinic digging them.  The crowd was in for a treat all night watching both teams play at such a high level.  Keller’s [player_tooltip player_id="151749" first="Melanie" last="McGann"] and [player_tooltip player_id="141125" first="Leah" last="Ford"] put enough offense together to take set one in extras, 29-27.  We all knew of what was to come.  After watching that set be so close, I knew we were in for a five-setter.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Set two was a continuation of what we just witnessed as both teams battled to another tight contest. We all grabbed our popcorn and watched as some long fantastic rallies ensued throughout the second set.  Junior setter [player_tooltip player_id="87577" first="Taylor" last="Polivka"] for Keller was dealing the ball all over the place to her hitters as Keller was hungry to take a two set lead.  But her counterpart on the other side of the net is no slouch herself.  Senior all-world setter [player_tooltip player_id="87499" first="Carlee" last="Pharris"] would not be denied as she led Brandeis to a hard fought 25-23 victory to tie it up at one set a piece.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The next two sets were a mirror image of each other as both teams let off the gas at times and also made some errors in a row.  Keller took the next set 25-16 and looked to seal the deal.  But Brandeis then stormed back in set four and showed great resiliency to notch it back up at two sets each as they won 25-15.   </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Set five was too close to call.  Brandeis definitely had the momentum from the previous set four win.  Junior [player_tooltip player_id="99492" first="Emma" last="Halstead"] and Senior Leila Smalls came up big for Brandeis in the final set as they won a close one 15-12.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/IMG_2747-crop-3226x2118-1638240349.jpg"><img class="alignleft wp-image-167579" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/IMG_2747-crop-3226x2118-1638240349-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="272" height="179" /></a>Brandeis was amazing to watch as they capped off the first ever State Championship in school history. This match had a lot for everyone as both teams showed amazing team play.  It was very nice to witness greatness in person as [player_tooltip player_id="87499" first="Carlee" last="Pharris"] and [player_tooltip player_id="87481" first="Jalyn" last="Gibson"] are on another level.  Miss Gibson finished with 29 kills on 72 attempts for a .306 hitting percentage.  Its amazing to see that she only had 7 errors on all of those swings.  Miss Pharris finished with 49 assists and 12 digs. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The following players received All Tournament honors from UIL at the State Tournament. </p> <p><strong>6A - 2021-2022</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="87499" first="Carlee" last="Pharris"] - Senior - Brandeis</strong></li> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="151749" first="Melanie" last="McGann"] - Senior - Keller</strong></li> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="141125" first="Leah" last="Ford"] - Junior - Keller</strong></li> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="87531" first="Sydney" last="Jordan"] - Junior - Fort Bend Ridge Point</strong></li> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="99515" first="Mallorie" last="Garner"] - Senior - Bridgeland</strong></li> </ul> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Championship Match Most Valuable Player</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="87481" first="Jalyn" last="Gibson"] - Senior - Brandeis</strong><strong> <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/IMG_2748-crop-3226x2118-1638240486.jpg"><img class="wp-image-167581 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/IMG_2748-crop-3226x2118-1638240486-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="164" /></a></strong></li> </ul> <p>We would like to congratulate Brandeis on their amazing season and way to cap it off with their first ever program State Championship!!! Enjoy it ladies. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>We will be publishing more articles weekly to give recognition to those teams and athletes who are playing great in their matches.  Stay tuned for more articles on your favorite athletes.  If you have anyone that you think deserves to be recognized as a player of the week, feel free to send me a message with their information. Or if you have anyone that you think have what it takes to be added to our database, please shoot me an email with some info at nov8vb@yahoo.com.  As always, thanks for following our publication Texas Family!</p>