Vol 2: Big District Match-Ups to Catch This Week
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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…
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Continue ReadingVolume 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.
Bridgeland vs. Cy Ranch
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 Bianna Muoneke Bianna Muoneke 6'0" | OH Cy Ranch | 2023 State #80 Nation TX just surpassed 1,500 career kills, and Bridgeland will have to have a lights-out defensive game by libero Alice Volpe Alice Volpe 5'5" | DS/L Bridgeland | 2024 State #83 Nation TX if they want a chance. Bridgeland will have to get all of their offense involved as well. Senior Olivia Waggoner 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 Taylor Porter Taylor Porter 5'11" | OH Cypress Ranch | 2025 State #85 Nation TX , who is the full package pin hitter with an explosive swing, and Kennedy Kays Kennedy Kays 6'2" | OH Bridgeland | 2023 State TX who is a huge block on the outside.
College Station vs. A&M Consolidated
College Station and A&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 Ava Martindale 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 Jasmine Rau Jasmine Rau 5'3" | DS/L AM Consolidated | 2024 State TX 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 Blair Thiebaud Blair Thiebaud 5'11" | S College Station | 2026 State TX is playing lights out, and her sister Carson Thiebaud 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.
Tomball vs. Tomball Memorial
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 Kaitlyn Davis Kaitlyn Davis 5'9" | OH Tomball | 2024 TX , 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 Astyn Casey who has a very sound platform and a great middle back read. Tomball’s libero Gemma Hopkins Gemma Hopkins 5'5" | DS/L Tomball | 2023 State TX , 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.
Vandegrift vs. Round Rock
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. Riley Clinton Riley Clinton 5'10" | S Round Rock | 2024 State TX 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 Ellie Mattox Ellie Mattox 5'11" | S Vandegrift | 2023 State TX will be leading the offense for Vandegrift. She is averaging 9 assists per set right now, showing how effective Vandegrift’s offense is. Mackenzie Boyer Mackenzie Boyer 6'3" | MB Vandegrift | 2023 State TX leads both teams in the blocking category and for good reason. She is agile and athletic. Round Rock’s Ava Bruno 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.
Sachse vs. Wylie East
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 Favor Anyanwu Favor Anyanwu 6'2" | MB Sachse | 2024 State #23 Nation TX , 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 Addison Achilles, who led her team in blocks. Some other key players for Sachse include middle Kaelynn Sims Kaelynn Sims 6'0" | MB Sachse | 2025 State #88 Nation TX , who has come up big for Sachse lately and can move pin to pin quickly on the block. Senior libero Chi Tran 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 Erika Hernandez Erika Hernandez 6'0" Wylie East | 2025 TX , who is an effective middle hitter and puts the ball away very efficiently.