2023 Houston Area HS Previews: 6A – District 22
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The club volleyball season has come to an end in great style, with the best teams in the country battling at the 2023 USAV Girls Junior National Championship, in Chicago, between the end of June and the start of July.…
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Continue ReadingThe club volleyball season has come to an end in great style, with the best teams in the country battling at the 2023 USAV Girls Junior National Championship, in Chicago, between the end of June and the start of July.
The top talent in the state of Texas won’t have much time off the court, however, as they are now gearing up to represent their high schools in the upcoming season, with the first non-district matches set to happen on August 4 and district play starting from August 22.
The state of Texas has one of the largest high school seasons in the entire country with the University Interscholastic League (UIL) managing a tournament for public schools that features six divisions, 192 districts and as many as 1,207 high school teams.
Prep Dig will be following all the action, as usual, but until it starts, let’s take some time to preview some of the districts located in the Houston area.
Division 6A – District 22
Channelview
Channelview were sixth in the district last season, getting a pair of victories in their 12 matches. Outside hitter Kynnedy Hurts and setter Kassandra Pereznegron were two starters from last season that won’t be back with the Lady Falcons in 2023 due to graduation. Without them, the core should be formed by setter Giselle Resendez (senior), outside hitter Kendall Siner (senior), middles Julissa Davila (senior) and Christian Salazar (junior) and libero Maleah Ramirez (junior).
Deer Park
Deer Park were a force in the district last season, finishing at the top with an undefeated campaign of 12 victories and just one set dropped. Their postseason run was stopped at the area round, with a dramatic loss to Dawson. The Deer graduated three important seniors in outside hitter Emmaleigh Vincent, middle Ella Gilbert and libero Adriana Lopez, but continue very strong. Their senior duo of setter/right side Cayley Hanson Cayley Hanson 6'2" | S Deer Park | 2024 State #43 Nation TX and outside hitter Tatum Busch Tatum Busch 5'11" | OH Deer Park | 2024 State TX is one of the most productive in the area and they’re also surrounded by some interesting talent, such as juniors Mycah Whittemore (right side) and Kailey Sexton (middle) and sophomore libero Erin Goodson.
Dobie
Houston’s Dobie were the third-best team in the district in 2022, securing eight victories in 12 matches. The Longhorns couldn’t handle Atascocita in the first round of the playoffs and ended their campaign in the bi-district round. Heading into 2023, Dobie will have almost their entire roster back as outside hitter Haley Precella and libero Bella Perez were the only seniors to graduate. Senior setter/right side Alexa Gonzalez Alexa Gonzalez 5'8" | S J. Frank Dobie | 2024 TX is a key piece in the team, contributing a lot in both of her roles, and she’s got good help from fellow seniors Naima LeBlanc (outside hitter), Aly Frias Aly Frias 5'0" | DS/L J. Frank Dobie | 2024 TX (libero), Ariana Garza and Haley Dehoyos (middles). Also keep an eye out for incoming freshman middle Amaya Langellier Amaya Langellier 6'0" | MB J. Frank Dobie | 2027 TX .
Pasadena
Pasadena were the last team in the district to clinch a playoff spot last season, ranking fourth with six wins and six losses. The Lady Eagles were stopped by Summer Creek in the first round of the playoffs. Outside hitter Linisa Hernandez and libero Angelina Cruz are the two players that graduated who made the biggest impact on the team in 2022. Sophomore setter/right side Caryme Molina was a big revelation and should show even more this time, supported by seniors Rosalinda Navarro (middle), Jazmin Morales and Victoria Calderon (outside hitter).
Pasadena Memorial
Pasadena Memorial were the second-best team in the district in their last campaign, producing a solid 10-2 win record. The Lady Mavs ended their journey in the bi-district round, against Kingwood. Pasadena Memorial will have a hard time replicating last year’s success after four key starters graduated in outside hitters Emma Carro and Savannah Lopez, setter Haley Salisbury and middle Bianca Burnett. Seniors Aleyna Leblanc (libero), Julixa Cintron (setter) and Holly Tran (middle) will form the core of the team in 2023.
Sam Rayburn
Pasadena’s Sam Rayburn got three wins in 12 matches to finish in fifth place in the district in the 2022 season. The Texans graduated several seniors after the end of the season and among them were some important players, such as right side Kailee Martinez, outside hitter Denise Cuevas, middle Erin-Leigh Wilson and setter Samantha Galvan. The team’s top scorer last season, outside hitter Jaylynn Sosa will be back as one of the few seniors, alongside middle Lauren Wright.
South Houston
With just one win in 12 matches, South Houston were the lowest-ranked team in the district, finishing seventh. Setter Jailyn Saldana and middle Kiyah Linsey were the main standouts in the Trojans’ last graduating class. Entering 2023, they will have middles Tatyana Ramos (junior) and Valeria Rodriguez (sophomore), senior outside hitter Cheyenne Robertson, senior libero Alexis Romero and junior setter Alyssa Flores forming the core of their team.