Houston Area Five Players to Watch: 6A – District 16
The high school volleyball season is set to start in just a few weeks in the state of Texas and after a quick break following the conclusions of the club season, we can’t wait any longer to watch the top…
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Continue ReadingThe high school volleyball season is set to start in just a few weeks in the state of Texas and after a quick break following the conclusions of the club season, we can’t wait any longer to watch the top prospects of the Lone Star State in action again.
There will be several thousand players in action across the 1,207 high school teams that compete in the six divisions of the University Interscholastic League (UIL) and among them, there are some very talented ones, who certainly have a bright future in the sport.
As we continue to preview what the high school season will look like in the Houston area, we shift our focus from teams to players and highlight five of the most intriguing prospects in the districts located in the region.
These are the players we selected in Division 6A – District 16:
Alice Volpe Alice Volpe 5'5" | DS/L Bridgeland | 2024 State #83 Nation TX – Libero – Bridgeland – Club: Houston Juniors – 2024
Alice Volpe Alice Volpe 5'5" | DS/L Bridgeland | 2024 State #83 Nation TX has established herself as one of the top class of 2024 liberos in the Houston area and will have another opportunity to show it in the high school season, when she’ll be part of a strong Bridgeland team. The 5’4” defender stands out for her excellent technique and ball control and is also extremely focused when on the court, making very few mistakes and always delivering what her team needs. Volpe had stellar production with Bridgeland last season, tallying 820 digs, 728 passes and 44 aces.
Bianna Muoneke Bianna Muoneke 6'0" | OH Cy Ranch | 2023 State #80 Nation TX – Outside Hitter – Cypress Ranch – Club: Houston Juniors – 2023
One of the most powerful and versatile hitters in the region, Bianna Muoneke Bianna Muoneke 6'0" | OH Cy Ranch | 2023 State #80 Nation TX will once again lead the scoring efforts of her strong Cypress Ranch team. Her leaping ability, overall athleticism and heavy arm make of her a threat in any situation, especially because despite her tremendous power, the six-foot-tall Muoneke is also intelligent and well-versed to score with tips or well-placed shots. She’s been getting more and more confident on the backcourt over the years and is a reliable defensive asset too. She ended last season with 673 kills, 390 digs, 477 passes and 75 aces.
Emily Schaper Emily Schaper 6'1" | OH Cy Woods | 2023 State TX – Outside Hitter – Cypress Woods – Club: Willowbrook – 2023
A 6’1” outside hitter who gets to contribute at a similarly high level on both sides of the ball, Emily Schaper Emily Schaper 6'1" | OH Cy Woods | 2023 State TX is a big part of Cypress Woods’ core heading to the 2022-2023 season. Her length and high contact point make of her a very productive offensive player, but Schaper has also worked hard on her backcourt skills and is as solid as it gets on passing and defense. Her last season’s production of 222 kills, 323 digs, 401 passes and 47 aces shows how complete her game is.
Jordan Taylor Jordan Taylor 6'5" | MB Langham Creek | 2025 State #46 Nation TX – Middle Blocker – Langham Creek – Club: Houston Juniors – 2025
Jordan Taylor Jordan Taylor 6'5" | MB Langham Creek | 2025 State #46 Nation TX was able to make a massive impact in Langham Creek’s campaign as a freshman by registering 267 kills and 110 blocks with a somewhat raw game. All people were talking about during the club season was how much she improved while working with Houston Juniors ‘ stellar coaches and she’s now much faster when moving at the net and capable of hitting several different sets down the middle. These tools, the experience she gained and, of course, her 6’5” frame, should put her in a position to produce even more for the Lobos in 2022-2023.
Mariana Buchanan Mariana Buchanan 5'10" | RS Cy Falls | 2024 State TX – Outside Hitter – Cypress Falls – Club: Houston Juniors – 2024
Mariana Buchanan Mariana Buchanan 5'10" | RS Cy Falls | 2024 State TX was one of the top scorers in the entire state of Texas with impressive 518 kills to go with 30 aces and 41 blocks. What stands out the most about her game is that, despite being the high-volume player she is, Buchanan doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. The 5’11” outside hitter is very explosive with her offense, but also very smart with her shot selection, a combination that we typically see in players much older than her. She’s also solid on the backcourt, having added 380 digs and 564 passes for Cypress Falls.