Houston Area HS Previews: 6A – District 16

<!-- 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 16</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bridgeland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bridgeland finished second in the district last year with 12 wins and three losses. The Lady Bears had a pair of playoff wins before crossing paths with eventual champions Grand Oaks in the Regional Quarterfinals. Moving forward without star libero Alice Volpe, who anchored the team's backcourt for four years will be a challenge - Bridgeland also lost outside hitters Raylee Schaffner and Nylah Gray, right side Amelia Creacy and setter Lauren Baek to graduation. Senior middles [player_tooltip player_id='187020' first='Rebekah' last='Pfefferkorn'] and Emily Greer will be the pillars of the team, which will also have senior setter Grace Wegenke, sophomore outside hitter/right side [player_tooltip player_id='443024' first='Justice' last='Rachal'] and junior middle Brooklyn Barrow as important pieces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cypress Lakes</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cypress Lakes failed to get a victory in district play last year, ending at the bottom of the standings with 14 defeats. Outside hitter Xanzhae Grigbsy and right side Aniah Alexis will be the most significant losses in their graduating class. In 2024, the Lady Spartans will rely on senior middles Alanna Moore and Abai Anyuon to guide a young roster that will benefit from growth from sophomores Adelynn Zumaya (outside hitter) and Hanaiah Alexander (setter). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cypress Park</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cypress Park ranked sixth in district play last year, with a campaign of four wins and ten losses. The Lady Tigers will return in 2024 without many of their top players from their previous season as middle Rya Carter, outside hitter Lydia Njome, libero Mya Hernandez and setter Anaya Jabbar all graduated. Senior outside hitter Oge Ugorji, junior libero Brianna Bustos and senior middle Nyah Day will be pivotal in the team's aspirations this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cypress Ranch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cypress Ranch topped the district standings in 2024 with an undefeated campaign of 14 victories. They made it past the first round of the playoffs, but were knocked out by The Woodlands in the area round. Setter/right side Taryn Gilreath, middle Tya Lynch and libero Gabrielle Eads are the most notable members in their graduating class. Except for the middle, the Lady Mustangs continue to have talent everywhere with junior [player_tooltip player_id='268779' first='Zora' last='Bello'] at setter, seniors [player_tooltip player_id='179890' first='Taylor' last='Porter'] and [player_tooltip player_id='269828' first='Sarah' last='Rivich'] at outside hitter, junior Kaylee Parker at outside hitter/right side and juniors [player_tooltip player_id='254251' first='Kinsley' last='Hooper'] and [player_tooltip player_id='269831' first='Victoria' last='Robinson'] at libero.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cypress Springs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cypress Springs got close to making it to the playoffs last year, finishing in fifth place in the district with six wins and eight losses. Looking for a better finish in 2024, the Lady Panthers won't have libero Breanna Swanson, middle Toni Smith and setter Dakota Bennett, who all graduated. Junior Alyssa Suarez is expected to take the starting setter role, with seniors Genesis Perry and [player_tooltip player_id='259919' first='Taylor' last='Hampton'] and junior Jayla Malone appearing at the pins and junior Rayne Peavy working in the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cypress Woods</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cypress Woods claimed the last playoff spot in the district last season, finishing fourth with a campaign of eight wins and six losses. They didn't make it far in the postseason, though, falling to Tomball Memorial in the bi-district round. Just two members of last year's squad won't return in 2024 because they graduated - middles Madison Presley and Emerson Dupre. The Lady Wildcats have solid options in every position, with junior [player_tooltip player_id='536463' first='Caroline' last='Walden'] and seniors Jaya Rimm and [player_tooltip player_id='254075' first='Bailey' last='Gittens'] playing at the pins, senior Allison Doolen appearing in the middle, junior [player_tooltip player_id='509419' first='Addison' last='Gibson'] working at libero and senior Katy Oetken pulling the strings at setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Langham Creek</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Langham Creek finished third in district play in 2023, getting 11 wins and four losses. They made it past the first round of the playoffs, but couldn't handle eventual champions Grand Oaks in the area round. The Lobos will be looking for new outside hitters this season after Kennedy Jones and Taylor Williams graduated and also have key spots to fill at setter and libero without Leah Rios and Carly Dupuis. Middle will be a position of strength for the team with senior [player_tooltip player_id='212727' first='Jordan' last='Taylor'] and sophomore Emma Zatz and [player_tooltip player_id='443045' first='Sophie' last='West']. Sisters Madison Bailey (senior) and [player_tooltip player_id='443026' first='Kaylin' last='Bailey'] (sophomore) could start at setter and libero respectively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Waller</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waller will be playing in a new district this season after spending several years at District 16, where they were sixth last year, with six wins and eight losses. With just seniors graduating from their last campaign in libero Madison Wells and outside hitter Aaniyah Scott, the Lady Bulldogs will be able to keep their core of outside hitters Moriah Jonson (senior) and [player_tooltip player_id='514166' first='Dakota' last='Hieber'] (junior), senior middles [player_tooltip player_id='269809' first='Kenadii' last='Winfrey'] and Madisyn Byars and sophomore setter [player_tooltip player_id='534410' first='Sasha' last='Keys'] for another season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->