Houston Area HS Previews: 6A – District 22

<!-- 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 22</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alvin</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alvin were previously part of district 23, where they ranked fourth last season with a campaign of six wins and six losses. The Yellowjackets advanced to the playoffs, but didn't make it past the bi-district round, falling to Clear Springs. The team lost just two players to graduation, but it was a pair of big ones in middle Wylie Singleton and setter Korrigan Wright. Without them, outside hitters Brooklynn Morris (senior), Camryn Mercer (junior), junior middle Corynn Williams and junior libero Kennedi Hansen will be important pieces for the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dawson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dawson were the top team in district 23 last year, getting 11 wins and just one loss. In the playoffs, the Eagles advanced all the way to the Regional Semifinals, but couldn't handle Cinco Ranch. Repeating last year's campaign will be a challenge for Dawson since outside hitters Dominique Phills and Kendyll Knox, setter/right side Addison Moss, setter Makenzi Petten and right side Lauren Kerr all graduated. The Eagles will continue strong in the middle with senior [player_tooltip player_id='201144' first='Kennedy' last='Michelle Jones'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='318191' first='Keaton' last='Points'] and have great talent at libero and outside hitter with libero [player_tooltip player_id='530380' first='Jenna' last='Thedford'] and [player_tooltip player_id='442949' first='Emmarie' last='McFarland'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dobie</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dobie finished in second place in district 22 in their last campaign, getting ten wins and just two losses. The Longhorns survived the first round of the playoffs, but lost to Dawson in the area round. They had a senior-heavy roster last season and will have multiple roles to fill with the graduations of setter/right side Alexa Gonzalez, middle Ariana Garza, outside hitter Naima Leblanc and libero Aly Frias. Outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='443007' first='Amaya' last='Langellier'] had a great freshman season and could carry the team's offense, especially if she manages to develop good chemistry with fellow sophomore setter [player_tooltip player_id='492662' first='Alysa' last='Sanchez'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Manvel</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Manvel moved up from Division 5A, district 18, where they were second last year with ten wins and two losses. The Mavericks got a pair of victories in the postseason after losing to Fulshear in the Regional Quarterfinals. Libero Bea Angeles, right side Ty Brinkley and middle Christian Fairbanks will be the hardest to replace from their graduating class. Despite their departures, Manvel continue stacked everywhere with senior [player_tooltip player_id='179904' first='Kenedy' last='Massie'] at setter, junior [player_tooltip player_id='226814' first='Jasmyn' last='Walker'] in the middle, junior [player_tooltip player_id='254283' first='Nevaeh' last='English'] on the right and senior Keegan St. Junious at libero.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pasadena Memorial</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pasadena Memorial secured a third-place finish in the district last year, ending their campaign with eight wins and four losses. They didn't make it too far in the postseason, though, losing to Summer Creek in the bi-district round. The Mavericks will have a lot of rebuilding to do with middle Holly Tran, libero Aleyna Leblanc and setter Julixa Cintron leading a numerous and talented senior class. Entering 2024, they will have senior middle Emma Reeves, junior outside hitter Addelyn Dinsdale, senior libero Kendra Denoon and junior setter Kenzie Fernandez as key players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pearland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pearland were the top team in district 23 last season with a nearly-perfect campaign of 11 wins and one loss. In the playoffs, the Oilers advanced one round before dropping their match to Deer Park in the area round. Outside hitter Nadia Dunn, middle Allie Schwartz and libero Mia Ramirez graduated and will be missed by the team. Junior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='254073' first='Avery' last='Koonsen'] and senior middle [player_tooltip player_id='212737' first='Kimanni' last='Rugley'] will provide Pearland with a solid presence at the net, while senior Adrienne Enriquez is expected to step at libero and seniors Cora Wolford and Emily Brock continue to split time at setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sam Rayburn</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sam Rayburn finished sixth in the district in 2023, accumulating two wins and ten losses. They will be back this season with three major absences after outside hitter Jaylynn Sosa, right side Vanessa Parra and setter Myla Guzman graduated. The Texans will rely on junior middle Jakayla Collins and senior outside hitter Kaylin Martínez to lead the team in the upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shadow Creek</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shadow Creek were in district 23 last year and finished in third place with eight wins and four losses. They couldn't make it past the bi-district round in the playoffs, though, losing to Clear Creek in the tie-breaker. The Sharks didn't have a heavy senior class last year, with middles Calasca Collins and Miya Harper being the most notable members of it. Shadow Creek will have a strong core in 2024 with setter [player_tooltip player_id='218999' first='Simone' last='Robinson'] (junior), right side [player_tooltip player_id='534319' first='Aspen' last='Brown'] (sophomore), outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id='236818' first='Kelly' last='Kelsick'] (senior) and [player_tooltip player_id='459664' first='Tamarria' last='Mitchell'] (sophomore) and libero [player_tooltip player_id='318194' first='Lauryn' last='Wiley'] (junior). The return of senior middle [player_tooltip player_id='212731' first='Mackenzie' last='Collins'], who spent last season at Episcopal, will make the team even stronger.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Houston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Houston sat out of the playoffs last season, finishing fifth in the district with a campaign of two wins and ten losses. Right side Cheyenne Robinson and outside hitter Rose Maciel were the two main players they lost to graduation. Three seniors - middle Esmeralda Arredondo, libero Alexis Romero and setter Karina Guillen - and one junior - outside hitter Val Rodriguez - will form the core of the team in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->