Vol 2: Big District Match-Ups to Catch This Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Volume 2 is here for the week of September 19th. We are about halfway through district play for a lot of teams around the state. District play is all about big rivalries and 5-set upsets. There is a lot of high-stakes volleyball going on and we are here for it. As we head deeper into district play, let us take a look at some big district match-ups that would be a really big win for either team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Bridgeland vs. Cy Ranch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two of the best teams in the state will have their third showdown of the year tonight. Cy Ranch won the first two meetings during tournament play, but district is a whole new ball game. Both teams are 3-0 and a lot is on the line. Senior superstar <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='176661' first='Bianna' last='Muoneke']</strong> just surpassed 1,500 career kills, and Bridgeland will have to have a lights-out defensive game by libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='124159' first='Alice' last='Volpe']</strong> if they want a chance. Bridgeland will have to get all of their offense involved as well. Senior <strong>Olivia Waggoner</strong> has led the way for Bridgeland and has had a fantastic senior season, hitting and passing very well. It will come down to other key players like<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='179890' first='Taylor' last='Porter']</strong>, who is the full package pin hitter with an explosive swing, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='87547' first='Kennedy' last='Kays']</strong> who is a huge block on the outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>College Station vs. A&amp;M Consolidated</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>College Station and A&amp;M Consolidated is always a great game to catch. Volleyball in the Brazos Valley has really blown up in the last few years, and each of these programs has proved itself highly competitive. College Station's libero <strong>Ava Martindale</strong> is really leading the way in the back row in the region. Her calm serve receive and fast reaction time makes for a very good player. Consolidated's libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='142222' first='Jasmine' last='Rau']</strong> can hold her own on the back row, known for her relentlessness and amazing digs she is able to pull from the floor. College Station's stud freshman setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='318129' first='Blair' last='Thiebaud'] </strong>is playing lights out, and her sister <strong>Carson Thiebaud</strong> is leading both teams in blocks. Consolidated does like to use its middles offensively with both middles having over 100 kills so far this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Tomball vs. Tomball Memorial</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a big matchup tonight for District 15. Tomball vs. Tomball Memorial is an old-fashioned cross-town rivalry that always leads us to a good game of volleyball. These two teams are very even on paper and by position. It will really come down to hustle and heart to pull this one out. Tomball is currently 3-0 led by senior outside hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='185990' first='Kaitlyn' last='Davis']</strong>, who leads both parties in kills. She's not the tallest hitter on the court, but she approaches the ball aggressively and explodes off the ground for high contact and a whip on the ball. Both teams match up really well at the libero position with Memorial's <strong>Astyn Casey</strong> who has a very sound platform and a great middle back read. Tomball's libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='176662' first='Lily' last='Hopkins']</strong>, who is known for her amazing defensive saves, will be leading their back row. If Memorial can match Tomball's offensive options, this should turn out a very competitive matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Vandegrift vs. Round Rock</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vandegrift and Round Rock matchup will propel one team to 3-1 in the district. This should setter show out for each team, as both setters have been playing very well this season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='197080' first='Riley' last='Clinton']</strong> for Round Rock who has 611 assists so far has been a really effective setter who also has a sneaky attack up her sleeve. One of the best senior setters in the state <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='122899' first='Ellie' last='Mattox']</strong> will be leading the offense for Vandegrift. She is averaging 9 assists per set right now, showing how effective Vandegrift's offense is. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='203054' first='Mackenzie' last='Boyer']</strong> leads both teams in the blocking category and for good reason. She is agile and athletic. Round Rock's <strong>Ava Bruno </strong>will be essential if they hope to pull out a win. Ava has a great shot cross and can hit the deep corner with ease.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Sachse vs. Wylie East</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sachse and Wylie East are set to play each other Friday, both are currently undefeated. One of the reasons Sachse has been so successful this season is junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='142220' first='Favor' last='Anyanwu']</strong>, who has been pounding the ball from all over the court. She has really come into her role and is leading the team on offense. Her slide is fast and strong, and she also puts up a huge block. Wylie East will have to combat that with a block of their own from <strong>Addison Achilles</strong>, who led her team in blocks. Some other key players for Sachse include middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180177' first='Kaelynn' last='Sims']</strong>, who has come up big for Sachse lately and can move pin to pin quickly on the block. Senior libero <strong>Chi Tran</strong> has also been aggressive from the serving line and has racked up several aces this season. It will be a battle of the middles with Wylie East's<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='254151' first='Erika' last='Hernandez']</strong>, who is an effective middle hitter and puts the ball away very efficiently.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->