Four Regions, Four Playoff Matches to Watch – Nov 8
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The regional quarterfinals are up and running in the University Interscholastic League’s (UIL) playoffs as high school volleyball teams from all over the state of Texas see the coveted spots in the State Championship closer with only three more postseason…
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Continue ReadingThe regional quarterfinals are up and running in the University Interscholastic League’s (UIL) playoffs as high school volleyball teams from all over the state of Texas see the coveted spots in the State Championship closer with only three more postseason rounds to come before the highlight of the season. The matches were played on Monday, but there’s more to come on Tuesday.
This week will be filled with exciting matches in every corner of the Lone Star State and our Prep Dig Texas team will try and cover as many as possible to keep you up-to-date on everything that’s going on in the most important moment of the season.
We’ll also try to, as much as possible, daily present some of the most exciting matchups as we continue to feature one playoff match in each of the four regions of the state of Texas.
Region 1: Highland Park vs. Guyer – Emerson HS – 6:30 PM
The Highland Park Scots (42-2) from Dallas have been one of the strongest Region 1 teams the entire season and won their last 20 matches. The Scots topped each of their Conference 6A – District 7 rivals twice for a 14-0 district campaign and beat Lamar and Flower Mound in the first rounds of the playoffs. Senior outside hitter Sydney Breon Sydney Breon 5'11" | OH Highland Park | 2023 State TX and senior middle blocker Cecily Gooch Cecily Gooch 6'3" | MB Highland Park | 2023 State #183 Nation TX have been offensive studs for Highland Park while senior libero Zoe Winford Zoe Winford 5'8" | DS/L Community | 2023 State TX has been leading the team’s backcourt efforts.
The Guyer Wildcats (23-11) from Denton started the postseason on fire, sweeping Copell and Martin ahead of their encounter with Highland Park. Before that, the team ranked second in Conference 6A – District 5 with 12 wins and two losses. In orther to upset the Scots, the Wildcats will need stellar production from star outside hitter Kyndal Stowers Kyndal Stowers 6'0" | OH Guyver | 2023 State #8 Nation TX , who missed the first half of the season due to injury. Other key players for Guyer are senior outside hitter Lauren Schneider Lauren Schneider 5'9" | OH Guyer | 2024 State TX and junior libero Jordyn Tynsky Jordyn Tynsky 5'8" | DS/L Guyer | 2024 State #65 Nation TX .
Region 2: Forney vs. Lovejoy – Rockwall HS – 7 PM
The Forney Jackrabbits (42-3) won 14 of their last 15 matches. The team went undefeated to rank first in Conference 5A – District 14 with 12 wins and had a strong start to the postseason, sweeping Greenville and Texas. Outside hitters Savannah Whitaker (senior) and Kylie Rodriguez (freshman) have been bringing the heat for the Jackrabbits at the net while junior libero Sam Wojtowicz has been doing the dirty work on the backcourt.
The Lovejoy Leopards (26-14) from Lucas are the reigning state champions in Conference 5A. The team won district 13 with a solid campaign of 11 wins and a single loss and went unharmed in the playoffs so far, sweeping Crandall in the bi-district round and Whitehouse in the area round. Senior middle blocker Hannah Gonzalez Hannah Gonzalez 6'3" | MB Lovejoy | 2023 State #170 Nation TX has been a force in the middle while sophomore Anna Barr Anna Barr 6'2" | OH Lovejoy | 2025 State TX has emerged as a fantastic option at outside hitter. The Leopards also have one of the best in the business at the setter position in junior Bethanie Wu Bethanie Wu 5'10" | S Lovejoy | 2024 State TX .
Region 3: Fulshear vs. Friendswood – Delmar Fieldhouse – 6 PM
The Fulshear Chargers (31-9) went perfect in district play, winning all their 14 matches to top Conference 5A – District 20. The Chargers followed it up with strong sweeps of Madison (bi-district round) and Sterling (area round) in the playoffs. Much of Fulshear’s production on the court comes from their talented sophomore trio of Bailey Warren Bailey Warren 5'10" | OH Fulshear | 2025 State #94 Nation TX (outside hitter), Sydney Black Sydney Black 5'6" | DS/L Fulshear | 2025 State #95 Nation TX (libero) and Alexys James (setter).
The Friendswood Mustangs (34-11) were second in Conference 5A – District 18 with ten wins and two losses, both to Manvel. The Mustangs have solid in the postseason so far, easily handling Nederland in the bi-district round and Fort Bend Kempner in the area round. Outside hitters Sydney Gibson Sydney Gibson 5'10" | OH Friendswood | 2025 State TX (sophomore) and Nadi’Ya Shelby (freshman) complement each other very well while senior middle Kaitlyn Gotsch Kaitlyn Gotsch 6'4" | MB Friendswood | 2023 TX has set a new school record for blocks and is currently at 180 for the season.
Region 4: Dripping Springs vs. Round Rock – The Burger Center – 6:30 PM
The Dripping Springs Tigers (38-13) started the postseason with a dramatic five-set victory over Vandergrift in the bi-district round but had a drama-free sweep of Johnson in the area round. The Tigers were second in Conference 6A – District 26 with 14 wins and two losses. Senior outside hitter Mackenzie Plante Mackenzie Plante 6'0" | OH Dripping Springs | 2023 State TX has been extremely productive on both sides of the ball, putting on great offfensive and defensive numbers. Dripping Springs also has two very talented freshmen in outside hitter Henley Anderson and setter Sydney Lund.
The Round Rock Dragons (33-12) were the second-best team in Conference 6A – District 25 with 12 wins and two losses. The team has had an eventless run in the playoffs so far, with a sweep of Westlake in the bi-district round and a 3-1 victory over Clark in the area round. Senior outside hitter Ava Bruno has been a stud for the Dragons, who have been also getting excellent production from juniors Morgan House (middle) and Riley Clinton Riley Clinton 5'10" | S Round Rock | 2024 State TX (setter).