Houston Area HS Previews: 6A – District 21

<!-- 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 21</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fort Bend Austin</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Austin were second in district 20 last season, producing a campaign of 13 wins and three losses. The Bulldogs made it to the playoffs, but couldn't make it past the bi-district round, falling to Seven Lakes. Middle/right side Adell Murray was the main name of their graduating class, which also included outside hitter Sahasra Vodethela. Austin have elite-level players at setter - sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='534332' first='Tinsley' last='Welker-Brown'] - and libero - senior Gabrielle Kennedy -, besides solid options at outside hitter in seniors Bailey Blackburn and Kylie Beer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fort Bend</strong> <strong>Bush</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bush struggled in district 20 last season, finishing last with 16 defeats. This season, the Broncos won't have setter Courtney Nguyen, middle Arlyssia Oliver and libero Alexa Trejo, who graduated. Senior outside hitter Isabella Castillo, junior middle Janiyah Wilson and junior libero Nyla Valle will be important players for them in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fort Bend</strong> <strong>Clements</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clements were also part of district 20 last season, ranking sixth with six wins and ten losses. Middle Abigail Bazinet, outside hitter/defensive specialist Ally Bernas and outside hitter Mason Mueller were some of the players the Rangers lost to graduation for the 2024 season. Without them, senior setter Keyun Zhang, senior libero Emma Levy and senior outside hitter Samantha Vann will be key pieces for the team this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fort Bend</strong> <strong>Dulles</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dulles finished in eighth place in district 20, with two wins and 14 losses. The Vikings will have most of their roster from last season back in 2024 as liberos Bitanya Ephrem and Barbara Fuentes were the only ones to depart for graduation. The team's core will have junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='250462' first='Chloe' last='Johnson'], junior right side Gabrielle St. Louis, senior outside hitter Anna Brun and sophomore middle Reina Brown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fort Bend</strong> <strong>Elkins</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elkins missed the playoffs out of district 20 by finishing fifth despite their positive record of nine wins and seven losses. Next season will be a year of change for the Lady Knights with five key seniors graduating in Kennedi Walker (setter), Semaj Cox (libero), McKenzie Williams (middle), Leena Wilson and Brianna Maseno (outside hitters). Heading into 2024, they will need to get a lot from senior right side Ope Aladetimi, senior middle Amber White and senior outside hitter Jasmine Hyman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fort Bend</strong> <strong>Hightower</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hightower were also in district 20 last season, ranking seventh with a campaign of five wins and 11 losses. Having a senior-heavy squad last season, the Hurricanes will be without several starters in 2024, most notably outside hitters Haile Brandon and Jane Johns, middle Dashaun Pinesette and setter Carrington Archer. Junior middle Ta'niyah Johnson and senior right side Faviour Agholor will have larger offensive roles, with senior McKenna Henderson probably taking over at setter and junior Christine Knowles appearing at libero. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fort Bend</strong> <strong>Travis</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Travis advanced to the playoffs out of district 20 last season, producing a campaign of ten wins and six losses. Their postseason run ended right where it started, though, as the Lady Tigers were knocked out by Cinco Ranch in the bi-district round. Middle Amirah Cotton, libero Jade McLemore and setter Rylee Wilson won't be back in 2024 because they graduated. Leading the team in the upcoming season will be seniors Ava Williams (setter), outside hitters Kate Cardona and Jayla Buford, right side Morgan Williams and middle Lizzie Edwards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ridge Point</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ridge Point were the top team in district 20 last season, finishing at the top of the standings with 15 wins and one loss. They made it past the first round of the playoffs, but lost to Cy-Fair in the area round. Their graduating class included setter/outside hitter Lauren Battle, outside hitter/right side Carrington Cook, middle Cameron Coleman and setter Taylor Jory. Despite the several departures, the Panthers continue loaded with seniors [player_tooltip player_id='212725' first='Kennedi' last='Rogers'], [player_tooltip player_id='442331' first='Aaliyah' last='Smith'] and Emory Harper at outside hitter, junior [player_tooltip player_id='197468' first='Jayden' last='Robinson'] at right side, junior [player_tooltip player_id='356124' first='Taylor' last='Johnson'] in the middle and senior [player_tooltip player_id='225530' first='Madison' last='Flores'] at libero. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->