Houston Area HS Previews: 6A - District 23

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 23   Atascocita   Atascocita were the top team in district 21 last season, dominating the competition with an undefeated record of 14 wins. They made it past the first two rounds of the playoffs, but then fell to Deer Park in the Regional Quarterfinals. The Eagles will have to move forward without four key players from their last campaign, who all graduated - outside hitter Brooklynne Fitzgerald, middle Rheanna Deen-Jackson, libero Stellar Parsons and setter Madisen Bailey. Sophomore outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='534384' first='Jordan' last='Morrow'] will be huge for them this year, having senior middle Cherrish Robinson and junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='254153' first='Gracie' last='Williams'] also as part of the core of the team.   Channelview   Channelview moved over from district 22, where they ranked seventh last year with a campaign of two wins and ten losses. Outside hitter Julissa Davila, middle Kendall Siner and setter Giselle Resendez will be missed in their next campaign as they graduated. Leading the Falcons in 2024 will be outside hitters Mia Mariscal (senior) and Lyrra Moreau (junior) and libero Maleah Ramirez (senior).   Galena Park   Galena Park were a force in Division 5A, District 19 last year, ranking second with a strong 16-2 win record. The Yellowjackets couldn't make it far in the playoffs, though, losing to Randle in the bi-district round. With just one senior (outside hitter Judith Torres) graduating after their last campaign, the team has a good chance of improvement in 2024. Some of their top performers in 2023, senior outside hitter Emma Colon, senior right side Camila Esquivel, junior setter Abigail Berrones and senior libero Jada Bryant will keep the level of play elevated in Division 6A.   Goose Creek Memorial   Goose Creek Memorial were one of the top teams in Division 5A, District 17 in 2023, finishing third with ten wins and five losses. The Patriots met perennial powerhouse Manvel in the bi-district round and had their playoff run cut short. Middle Shyla Houston and outside hitter Aracely Nunez are the two most important members of their graduating class and will be missed in 2024. Senior middle [player_tooltip player_id='314731' first='Sanaa' last='Donaie'] will continue to be the team's centerpiece, with junior outside hitter I'Slyn Edwards, sophomore setter [player_tooltip player_id='437712' first='Ava' last='Martinez'] and senior libero Maygahn Love also playing important roles.   Humble   Humble were part of district 21 last season, where they secured a spot in the playoffs with a campaign of eight wins and six losses that put them in fourth place. They stopped at Deer Park in the bi-district round. Their most recent graduating class included middle Tevai Haiola, right side Djamila Ziani and libero Aryana Tullos. Four seniors - outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id='215710' first='Trabrece' last='Ariyana Marbley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='240641' first='Amaris' last='Marks'] and setters Kylee Roberts and Alexa Gonzalez - will lead the Wildcats in 2024.   King   King joined from district 21 after ranking fifth with a campaign of four wins and ten losses last year. Entering 2024, the Tigers will not have middle Danee Clark, setter Faith Wilkins and outside hitter Ilajah Francis, who graduated. The team's production in the upcoming will depend heavily on four seniors - outside hitters Carmen Cooksey and Jade Gentry, libero Emily Rivera-Vasquez and setter Regina Patino.   Kingwood   Kingwood are another team coming from district 21 - they were third in 2023, with 11 wins and four losses. The Mustangs' playoff run wasn't long-lived, as they were knocked out by Dobie in five sets in the bi-district round. Kingwood will have to find new ways to win in 2024 after outside hitter Makaela Swoopes, middles Ellie Neuman and Pemi Areola and libero Morgan Roux all graduated. They enter 2024 with setters [player_tooltip player_id='254134' first='Carly' last='Thomas'] (junior) and [player_tooltip player_id='269810' first='Kendra' last='Sawyer'] (senior) and libero [player_tooltip player_id='486942' first='Julianna' last='Kiliddjian'] (senior) serving as the team's cornerstones.   Summer Creek   Summer Creek finished in second place in district 21 last season, getting 12 wins and three losses in district play. The Bulldogs overcame the first round of the playoffs, but lost to Clear Springs in the area round. Summer Creek will return in 2024 without their two top scorers (outside hitter Aspen Maxwell and middle Taylor Larkin) and their two main setters (Anika Frausto and Avery LaBorde), as well as right side Angelica Medina. Junior Ivy Maxwell will most likely be the answer at setter, with seniors Zoie Burkhead, [player_tooltip player_id='486935' first='Emani' last='Bean'] and Jason Smith appearing at libero, middle and outside hitter, respectively.

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.