Houston Area HS Previews: 6A - District 15

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.   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.   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.   District 15   Klein   Klein finished seventh in district play with a campaign of three wins and 11 losses. The Lady Bearkats will return in 2024 without a handful of key players after the graduations of setter/right side Kinslee Smith, middle Faith Williams, outside hitter Alexis Waddy and settter Kenzie Frazier. Last season, they saw a pair of freshmen have excellent seasons in outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='486940' first='Jaicee' last='Smith'] and middle blocker/outside hitter Allie Lindsey and they expect the two to take another step forward in 2024, when they will form the core of the team alongside senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='486947' first='Layla' last='Samoska'] and sophomore libero Victoria Peña.   Klein Cain   Klein Cain were the fourth-best team in the district last year, getting seven wins and seven losses. In the playoffs, the Hurricanes didn't go too far, losing to Cypress Ranch in the bi-district round. Returning in 2024, they will miss four seniors who graduated in middles Jaylynn McNeill and Sophie Hoff, setter Kelly Pawelka and libero Gabriela Coronado. Senior outside hitter Carson Roye and junior right side [player_tooltip player_id='229048' first='Josie' last='Adair Hoff'] are expected to lead the team's offense this season, with seniors [player_tooltip player_id='570246' first='Avery' last='Hawkins'] and Nikki Guzman appearing at middle and setter, respectively.   Klein Collins   Klein Collins ranked third in district play last season, completing their calendar with eight wins and six losses. In the playoffs, they lost to Langham Creek in the bi-district round and couldn't go any further. The team's leading scorer last season, outside hitter Kristina Cote is one of four seniors who had big roles to graduate, alongside libero Olivia Murillo, fellow outside hitter Taylor Jones and middle Brooklyn Barger. In 2024, the Lady Tigers will rely on senior outside hitter Brynn Metoyer, senior middles Molly Felkins and Ashlynn Hollins and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='501893' first='Chandler' last='Carter'] (outside hitter/libero) and Zoe Stuhlmiller (setter) to make it to the postseason again.   Klein Forest   Klein Forest had a difficult season in 2023, losing all 14 matches to end at the bottom of the district standings. The Lady Eagles will have the opportunity to try and do better this season with basically the same roster as outside hitter Aaliyah Gonzalez and libero Raina Bui were the only seniors with major roles to graduate after their last campaign. Klein Forest will have four seniors leading their offense in outside hitter Ayana Lowe, middles Olivia Bradford and Aaliyah Welch and right side Melodia Paige with another two seniors, Alexandria Nguyen at setter and her twin Alexandra at libero, completing their lineup.   Klein Oak   Klein Oak finished fifth in the district last year with six wins and eight losses, barely missing the playoffs. The Lady Panthers will be able to return basically the same roster in the upcoming season as middle Lauren Dale was the only senior to graduate following last year's campaign. A lot of the team's success will depend on the progress made by outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id='502107' first='Camille' last='Csernik'] and Ava Schweiger and setter [player_tooltip player_id='486951' first='Lily' last='Singletary'], who had excellent freshman seasons and will return with larger roles. Around them, middles Tori Leggiero (junior), Alana Trotman (senior) and [player_tooltip player_id='550451' first='Kortney' last='Craig'] (senior), libero Erin Carpenter (junior) and setter Samantha Kuehnle (setter) will provide interesting alternatives.   Magnolia   Magnolia is one of the teams that joined the district this year - last year they were in Division 5A, District 21, where they finished fifth with seven wins and eight losses. The Lady Bulldogs will face new opponents this year without their leading scorer from the last few seasons as outside hitter Chloe Richards graduated - besides her, they also lost senior Kira Braun, libero Alli Gentry and middle Emerson Cykoski. With that, the team will have senior outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id='451437' first='Hailey' last='Admire'] and [player_tooltip player_id='254145' first='Elizabeth' last='Adamek'], sophomore middle [player_tooltip player_id='531649' first='Danica' last='Beveridge'] and junior libero Henlee Moszkowicz as their key players in the upcoming season.   Magnolia West   Magnolia West also made the move from Division 5A, District 21 - where they were fourth with seven wins and seven losses - this season. In 2023, they made it to the playoffs, but fell to Lake Creek in the bi-district round. The team will need to find solutions in the middle, where Olivia Cruz and Blakely Beavers graduated, and libero, where Shea McElroy is also gone. Key returning players for the Lady Mustangs will be junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='240982' first='Shannon' last='Dworaczyk'], senior outside hitter Sydnie Mullens, senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='254256' first='Lauren' last='Brown'] and sophomore setter/outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='534382' first='Hayden' last='Stebbins'].   Tomball   Tomball were the second-best in the district last year with 12 wins and two losses. They couldn't make it past the first round of the playoffs, though, losing to Bridgeland in bi-district. The Lady Cougars' best player in the last few years, outside hitter Kaitlyn Davis has graduated and won't be back, as well as setter Madalyn Hoot and right side Lexi Klenzing. In 2024, Tomball will try to build from their strong sophomore class of libero [player_tooltip player_id='269795' first='Gemma' last='Hopkins'] and middles [player_tooltip player_id='501890' first='Georgia' last='Hornes'] and Taylor Choate, who will have senior setter Lilly Godwin, senior defensive specialist Reese Smith, senior middle Lauren Schippanoski and junior outside hitter Heidi Horan as other important contributors.   Tomball Memorial   Tomball Memorial triumphed in the district last season with an undefeated record of 14 wins. They had a deep playoff run, advancing all the way to the Regional Final, where they lost to eventual state champions Grand Oaks. Repeating that campaign without outside hitters Avery Craig and Brooke Oliver, middle Skylar Christopher, liberos Anahi Alvarado and Hailey Ackley and setter Emma Hollas, who graduated, will be a big challenge for the Lady Wildcats. In 2024, the team's core will have junior outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id='269827' first='Sarah' last='Odell'] and Amber Craig, senior middle Lily Westphal, senior setter Sydni Halfman and junior middle [player_tooltip player_id='530376' first='Lily' last='Reins'].

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.