TAPPS State Championship - Day 2 Preview

It's the biggest week of the year for high school volleyball teams competing at the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) tournament as the State Championship is underway between Wednesday and Saturday in the Waco area.   Four teams compete for the state title in each of the six conferences and we'll be providing daily updates of everything that's going on, with previews, match results, top performances, and, of course, news on the division champions.   Here's everything you need to know for Thursday:   Division 1A - Championship Match   Christ Academy vs. Heritage School - @ University HS - 10 AM   The Christ Academy Lady Warriors from Wichita Falls will attempt to secure their third straight state title and the fourth victory in five years. Led by senior right side Brooklyn Lane and sophomore outside hitter Bella Rose, the team overcame the Prestonwood Christian Academy North from Prosper in three sets (25-14, 25-13, 25-11).   The Heritage Christian Eagles from Fredericksburg are the second State finalists after they topped district foes Cornerstone Christian Lions from San Angelo in four sets (25-16, 25-12, 16-25, 25-20). All juniors, Eleanor Loggie, who had 25 kills in the semifinal, outside hitter Ellie Shipman, who tallied 24, and setter Lilli Bray, who registered 50 assists, form the core of the team.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/TAPPSvolleyball/status/1590507083765788672?s=20&t=Y_rRzrnlBSgWH0BItJn2Lg </div></figure>   Division 2A - Championship Match   Ovilla Christian vs. Concordia High - @ University HS - 1 PM   The Ovilla Christian Eagles from Red Oak secured their third victory in four matches against the Nazarene Christian Academy Lions in the state semifinals, when they won 3-0 (25-16, 25-13, 25-23). Expect sophomore middle Sophie Henry and outside hitters Zoey Hensley (sophomore) and London Upchurch (junior) to be key players for Ovilla Christian in the Championship Match.   The Concordia High Cardinals from Pflugerville had a dramatic semifinal victory against the Bracken Christian Warriors from Bulverde coming down from two sets to take the win in five (15-25, 20-25, 25-22, 25-20, 15-12). Most of their hopes in the Championship Match will be on junior right side [player_tooltip player_id='245844' first='Calissa' last='Allison'], senior libero Emery Pomroy and senior setter Emma Pritchett.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/TAPPSvolleyball/status/1590546726309736449?s=20&t=e-yCoLOP3l5-gn3k9q6P9g </div></figure>   Division 3A - Semifinals   Lubbock Christian vs. Dallas Lutheran - @ University HS - 4 PM   The Lubbock Christian Lady Eagles started their State Championship run from District 1. They topped the Covenant Classical School and Trinity School in the playoffs. The Lady Eagles expect great production from senior outside hitters Alyssa Marquette and Callie Roberts and sophomore setter Kat Dulin at the State Championship.   The Dallas Lutheran Lions emerged from District 5 to make it to the Final Four and their playoff run included victories against Weatherford Christian and the Denton Calvary Academy. Outside hitters Millie Olsson (senior) and Alex Dever (junior) and senior setter Lauren Pittman are among the team's key players.   Round Rock Christian vs. Rosehill Christian - @ University HS - 7 PM   The Round Rock Christian Crusaders were the winners of District 3 with a perfect campaign of 12 wins. They remained in good rhythm in the playoffs, knocking out the Alpha Omega Academy and the New Braunfels Christian Academy. The Crusaders have some serious talent in their squad, most notably with their senior trio of [player_tooltip player_id='195853' first='Ryann' last='Holley'] (outside hitter), Emily Millikan (middle) and Reagan Sawyer (setter).   The Rosehill Christian Eagles from Tomball were District 5 undefeated champions with 14 victories. The team continued on fire throughout the postseason and easily handled Northland Christian and Keystone in the first two rounds of the playoffs. The Eagles have talented everywhere on their roster with senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='122906' first='Savannah' last='Jennings'], junior outside hitter Kaleigh Frazier and junior libero/defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='142199' first='Macy' last='McPartland'].   Division 4A - Semifinals   Grace Prep Academy vs. Prince of Peace Christian - @ Robinson HS - 10 AM   The Grace Prep Lions from Arlington were part of District 1 in the regular season and they finished third with nine wins and four losses. The team grew in the postseason and ignored its underdog status to prevail against Dallas Christian and Lake Country Christian. Junior outside hitter Maya Kelly has been the team's top scorer, senior middle Lacy Young has tallied over 100 blocks for the season and junior libero Savanna Stevens has produced excellent numbers on the backcourt.   The Prince of Peace Eagles from Carrolton topped District 3 with 13 wins and a single loss. They have been solid in the playoffs too, with victories over Pantego Christian and Trinity Christian. Senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='141137' first='Autumn' last='Perry'] has more than 500 kills, junior setter Keegan Schmidt is approaching 700 assists and senior libero Ellie Tool is over the 500-mark for both digs and passes.   Brentwood Christian vs. Veritas Academy - @ Robinson HS - 1 PM   The Brentwood Christian Bears from Austin were District 1 winners with an undefeated record of 13 victories. Their good form continued to the playoffs, extending their unbeaten streak to impressive 22 matches with wins over Holy Cross and Boerne Geneva. Much of the team's offensive production comes from senior outside hitter Ashlynn Alvarado and freshman middle Kendal Roberson while sophomore setter Rayen Flandes manages the ball distribution.   The Veritas Academy Defenders from Austin were another team from District 3 to advance all the way to the State Championship. Their campaign also features a victory over John Paul II Catholic in the playoffs. The team has a strong junior trio with outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id='177713' first='Courtney' last='Church'] and Lainey McGehee and libero Kate Brawley.   Division 5A - Semifinals   Liberty Christian vs. St. Michael's Catholic Academy - @ Robinson HS - 4 PM   The Liberty Christian Warriors from Argyle had a perfect campaign of eight wins to triumph in District 1. Their playoff run had victories against Grace Community and Legacy Christian Academy. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='122892' first='Reagan' last='Fifer'] sets and hits at a very high level for the Warriors while junior outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id='155126' first='Tally' last='Grissom'] and Quinlan Denney provide stability at the pin.   The St. Michael's Catholic Academy Crusaders from Austin entered the postseason as the winners of District 3 with eight wins and one loss. In the playoffs, they topped Midland Christian and Fort Worth Christian. Outside hitters Mora Mooney (junior) and Connelley McWilliams (senior) have been carrying the team's offense while junior libero Trishelle Williams leads the backcourt efforts.   Lutheran South Academy vs. Fort Bend Christian Academy - @ Robinson HS - 7 PM The Lutheran South Academy Pioneers from Houston emerged from District 5, where they won 12 of 14 matches to rank second - both their losses were exactly against Fort Bend Christian Academy. In the playoffs, Lutheran South topped San Antonio Christian and St. Joseph. A transfer, sophomore setter/right side [player_tooltip player_id='179889' first='Kirra' last='Musgrove'] has been a stud for the team. Also look out for junior libero Taylor Crain and freshman setter [player_tooltip player_id='644451' first='Aniston' last='Collins'].   The Fort Bend Christian Academy Eagles from Sugar Land are the division's defending champions and will be able to defend their title after their dominated District 5 with 14 wins and cruised past St. Joseph Academy and Frassati Catholic. Three returning players from last year's victory, sophomore middle [player_tooltip player_id='179893' first='Bayleigh' last='Minor'], sophomore outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='178568' first='Layne' last='Bulow'] and senior setter Emma Pekar provide a strong core for the Eagles.

It's the biggest week of the year for high school volleyball teams competing at the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) tournament as the State Championship is underway between Wednesday and Saturday in the Waco area.