Houston Area HS Previews: 6A – District 14

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After nine months of grinding for their club teams, volleyball prospects in the state of Texas are ready to turn their focus to the University Interscholastic League (UIL) high school season, which is set to start soon, with the first matches set for August 12.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It will definitely be an interesting season to follow after the realignment promoted by the UIL, which altered the scenario in several districts, as well as the new competition format, which will split the playoffs into two divisions, and Prep Dig will be following the action closely in the Houston area, providing weekly match reports and photos of the most exciting duels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before the action begins, though, let's take a good look at each of the 12 districts of the region, analyzing each team and their aspirations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">District 14</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aldine</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aldine earned a sixth-place finish in the district in 2023 with a campaign of five wins and nine losses. Trying to improve from it this season, the Lady Mustangs won't count on five starters from their last campaign in middles Tatiana Barbosa and Liz Carrizales, outside hitter Veronica Cantu, libero Elda Zuniga and setter Veronica Calderon, who all graduated. Junior outside hitter Porsha Daniels, who also started last season, will have a major role with the team now, alongside senior libero/DS Sara Sanchez and senior outside hitter Tiffany Salazar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Benjamin Davis</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benjamin Davis advanced to the playoffs last year after finishing third in district play, with nine wins and five losses. They didn't make it far in the postseason, though, losing to The Woodlands in the bi-district round. Middles Asia Davis and Tailor Perkins won't be back this season as they graduated. Without them, the Lady Eagles will heavily rely on the trio formed by senior middle Diamond Bossier, senior setter Shanazy Marshall and junior outside hitter Breyawnna Noland.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dekaney</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With 12 losses, Dekaney sat at the bottom of the district last season. Setter Ariell Jones and middles Lia Bell and Cryshelle Johnson won't be back in 2024 ast they graduated following the team's last campaign. Senior outside hitter Se'mia Young should be the main scoring option for the Lady Wildcats this season while sophomore Jacqueline Bermudez runs the team's offense at setter and junior Mikayla Vasquez appears at libero.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eisenhower</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eisenhower got one win and 11 losses in district play last season, ranking seventh in district 14. The Lady Eagles had a senior-heavy squad last year and will miss the likes of setter Georgia Blue, libero Erin Ferguson and outside hitter Choyve Washington. Senior Jadyin Guardiola is expected to take over at setter, with seniors Janya Gregory and Kiera Arthurton appearing at outside hitter and junior Tadriana Laurant and senior Jayla Thomas manning the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MacArthur</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MacArthur were the top team in the district last season, winning all their 14 matches. They couldn't make it past the first round of the playoffs, though, falling to Oak Ridge in bi-district. The Lady Generals graduated several seniors, among them all-district selections Minerva Miranda, Annalisse Arboleda and Jaeda Robinson. Senior middle Jessika Martinez is huge for the team at the net and will be helped by fellow senior middle Lashae Goffney and senior outside hitter Nakisha Nedd.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nimitz</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nimitz finished distinct play in fourth place with a campaign of eight wins and six losses. The team fell to state champions Grand Oaks in the bi-district round and couldn't make a deep run. Outside hitters T'Asia Green and Aniyah Wise and Jaden Harrison are part of the team's graduating class and won't be back with the Lady Cougars in 2024. The senior trio of outside hitter Jalyn Gibson, setter Scarlet Gutierrez and right side Myangel Taylor will have a huge impact in what the teams does on the court in the upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Spring</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spring ranked second in the district last season, getting 10 wins and four losses in 14 matches. The Lady Lions will lose a strong quartet with the graduations of middle/outside hitter Jaylah Lumar, middle Nevaeh Taylor, setter Kyla Taylor and outside hitter Shamyra Polk. Senior middle Keasia Ivory and junior right side Empress Williams will have big offensive roles with the team this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Westfield</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Westfield got close to making it to the playoffs last season, but ended up in fifth place in district play with eight wins and six losses. With just libero/DS Brittney Alvarado graduating, the Lady Mustangs are hopeful to do better with a more experienced roster in 2024. The team's backbones will be junior Nickyanna Milles in the middle, senior Kaylanni Uriostegui and sophomore Madison Fairley at outside hitter, senior Julissa Velazquez at setter and junior [player_tooltip player_id='443120' first='Nasya' last='Robinson'] at libero.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->