Big-Time Playoff Performances Part 1

Everything is bigger in Texas, including the standout individual performances that have helped these players propel their teams to postseason glory. In these articles we are highlighting players that had standout performances in the Regional playoffs last week in the DFW metroplex.   [player_tooltip player_id='155117' first='Ayden' last='Ames']-SR, Middle Blocker/Prosper High School/University of Texas   Ms. Ames is not a surprise on this list of standouts. She has been a star for four years at Prosper High School and just signed to play at the next level for the University of Texas. Prosper punched their ticket to the 6A State Tournament last weekend behind a stellar performance from Ayden. In a 3-set Regional Finals victory over Flower Mound Ayden had 17 kills on a strong .382 hitting percentage and also added 5 blocks. Ayden was extremely effective and consistent, powering through the block and putting balls down with emphasis. She was lethal everywhere on the net and the Eagles do a great job of finding creative ways to get her touches. She was also a force at the net defensively, helping keep a Flower Mound team with a lot of weapons from ever getting in a real rhythm. Expect her to be the biggest offensive weapon in Prosper's push for a 6A state championship this week in Garland.   [player_tooltip player_id='179902' first='Shelby' last='Burriss']-JR, Middle Hitter/Lovejoy HS/Princeton   Shelby took command of the net early in a decisive three-set victory over Frisco Reedy to win the 5A Regional finals that gave Lovejoy a return ticket to the state tournament. Ms. Burriss, a Princeton commit in the 2025 class used her size and athleticism to rack up 19 kills on an impressive .455 hitting percentage. She was also extremely extremely effective in slowing down Reedy's offensive attack, with 5 blocks in the win. This performance followed up an impressive showing the previous night when Lovejoy knocked off #1 ranked, Frisco Wakeland in the Regional semifinal round. Burriss had 12 kills and 7 blocks in the 5-set victory. Expect the Leopards to go to Shelby early and often in their state semifinal matchup on Friday.   [player_tooltip player_id='155119' first='McKenna' last='Brand']-SR, Libero/Lovejoy HS/Connecticut   If [player_tooltip player_id='179902' first='Shelby' last='Burriss'] was a force at the net for Lovejoy in the 5A Regional Tournament, then [player_tooltip player_id='155119' first='McKenna' last='Brand'] was absolute defensive dynamite. If Reedy was able to swing past the Leopards block, then Ms. Brand gave them few opportunities to find a hole on the floor. She was absolutely everywhere. The UConn commit showed incredible instincts and footwork that allowed her to make play after play and keep balls alive for her team. The 5'7 libero finished the match with 35 digs (11.7 digs per set) in the dominant 3-set performance. McKenna is a strong leader on the floor for her team and is a huge reason why Lovejoy is a solid contender to win it all.   [player_tooltip player_id='250462' first='Chloe' last='Johnson']-JR, Outside Hitter/Gunter HS/Long Beach State   Ms. Johnson has been an absolute power-house during Gunter's playoff run this season. Chloe is one of the few returners from last year's state championship team. In the most competitive playoff matchup Gunter has faced, they beat a scrappy Boyd HS team in a 5-set battle. Chloe finished with 23 kills and 18 digs to lead the Tigers. The Long Beach State commit has been effective at both pin positions for her team and has a high-flying and explosive back row attack that opponents have struggled to handle. Gunter moves Chloe around offensively and defensively to get an edge and she has shut down opposing outside hitters with her strong block. If Gunter is going to make a push for back-to-back 4A state titles this week in Garland, [player_tooltip player_id='250462' first='Chloe' last='Johnson'] is going to be a huge factor in the Tigers game plan.   Stayed tuned as we highlight more standout performances from the week of Regional playoffs and from the Texas Volleyball State Championships that begin this week in Garland. Follow us and tag us on "X" @PDTexas and if you have a standout performance you want me to highlight, tag me @ttalbert33.

Everything is bigger in Texas, including the standout individual performances that have helped these players propel their teams to postseason glory. In these articles we are highlighting players that had standout performances in the Regional playoffs last week in the DFW metroplex.