Houston Area HS Previews: 6A - District 24

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 24   Brazoswood   Brazoswood finished fifth in the district last season with a campaign of four wins and eight losses, narrowly missing the playoffs. The Buccaneers are set to look very different in 2024 after outside hitters Brooklyn Baker and Olivia Stringer, middle Landrie Heble, libero Macie Riley and setter Hannah Bartlett graduated. Senior outside hitters Desteney Kremmer and Grace Stephens and junior setter Audrey Mulholland, who already had important roles last year, are all expected to produce even more in the upcoming season.   Clear Brook   Clear Brook ranked sixth in the district in 2023, completing their calendar with two wins and ten losses. The Wolverines will miss outside hitters Kianna Price and Maci Miller, their two main scorers in their last campaign, after they left the team due to graduation. Senior outside hitter Elise Jameson and junior middle Audrey Sebring will be pivotal for them at the net, with junior Amber Salazar standing out at libero and senior Alyssa Diemert and junior Josie Hines splitting time at setter.   Clear Creek   Clear Creek produced a second-place finish in the district last season, getting eight wins and four losses. The Wildcats made it past the first round of the playoffs, but couldn't handle Atascocita in the area round and saw their run come to an end. Outside hitter Addie Hodges, middles Melody Herrin and Ella Holder and setter McKinley Cole won't return in 2024 as they graduated. Senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='254284' first='Olivia' last='Jones'] will be huge on both sides of the ball for Clear Creek, who will also expect strong production from senior right side Laila Paulino, senior libero Alison Figueroa and junior setter Camdyn Cole.   Clear Falls   Clear Falls claimed the last spot of the district in the playoffs in 2023, finishing fourth with a campaign of eight wins and four losses. Their postseason run ended right where it started, as the Knights fell to Dawson in the bi-district round. As they return this season, they will need to find ways to overcome the losses of departing outside hitter Keira Jones, middle Averie Tracy and libero Capri Strombach. Senior right side Bri Dunn, junior outside hitter Shirley Pingel, senior middle Kali Todman and junior setter Zoie Gaertner will all have important roles with the team in 2024.   Clear Lake   Clear Lake sat at the bottom of the district standings last season after they failed to win each of their 12 matches. To make things more complicated, their three main scorers from 2023, middles Annie Cathey and Kaylee Cannatella and outside hitter Addie Carter, all graduated. With that, the Falcons will need a lot from junior setter Amelie Webb, and the senior twins Sadie Gafka (right side) and Celia Gafka (libero).   Clear Springs   Clear Springs were the undisputed winners in the district last season, going undefeated with 12 victories. They advanced in the first two rounds of the playoffs before falling to Dawson in the regional quarterfinals. A key player for the Chargers during her entire high school career, right side Ashley Richardson graduated, as did setter Morgen Durgens, outside hitters Grace Powell and Anzley Rinard and libero Abby Fuller. Outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='693897' first='Caylee' last='Young'] was excellent in her freshman season and will be able to do more as a sophomore - she will have seniors Myah Griggs (outside hitter), [player_tooltip player_id='218343' first='Andrea' last='Colocado'] (middle) and [player_tooltip player_id='254307' first='Taylor' last='Tolleson'] (libero) as talented teammates.   Deer Park   Deer Park joined from district 22, where they dominated last season with an undefeated record of 12 wins. The Deer had a nice and exciting playoff run before losing to Seven Lakes in the Regional Semifinals. Key members of last year's successful team, setters Cayley Hanson and Cadence Lippe and outside hitter Tatum Busch won't be back after graduation. Seniors Mycah Whittemore (outside hitter) and Kailey Sexton (middle) will lead the team alongside junior libero [player_tooltip player_id='644464' first='Erin' last='Goodson']. Sophomore outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='399116' first='Alixandra' last='Klein'] could have a larger role in 2024 and she's ready to contribute.   Dickinson   Dickinson were the second-best team in district 24 last season, getting eight wins and four losses. The Gators couldn't make it past the first round of the playoffs, losing to Pearland in the bi-district round. Outside hitters Caroline Boone and Aaliyah Barnett and libero Addison Stanley were part of the team's graduating class and will need to be replaced. With senior [player_tooltip player_id='229068' first='Samantha' last='Loyd'] at outside hitter, senior Caryss Magliolo and sophomore Rebecca Ajong in the middle and senior Keely Anderson at setter, Dickinson have a strong core to build around.

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.