Texas HS Matches to Watch – Week 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Texas high school volleyball season began last week, when the first matches of the University Interscholastic League (UIL) took place in every corner of the Lone Star State, kicking off a four-month period of excitement for young players in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Dig Texas continues to provide the best high school volleyball coverage in the state, attending multiple matches every week and consistently featuring the players and teams who deliver strong results on the court and pave their way to appearing in the State Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This season, in addition to providing match coverage, we also have weekly previews, presenting matches set to take place over the next few days in different regions of the state with the potential to be truly exciting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These are the duels you should keep an eye out for in the second week of the season:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Willis vs. Klein Cain</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>When:</strong>&nbsp;Monday, August 17, @ 5:30 PM<br><strong>Where:</strong>&nbsp;Willis HS<br><strong>Why:</strong> This non-district match features teams with some of the most talented players in the North Houston area. Willis, which have a 5-5 win record for the season, heavily rely on their well-rounded junior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='580688' first='Kennadie' last='Gibson'] to win at home. Fellow junior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='826458' first='Brianna' last='Schneider'] provides nice offensive support, while junior middle Madelyn Landry makes a two-way impact at the net and junior Carleigh Knobloch starts at setter. Leading Klein Cain in their 6-4 campaign so far is sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='731135' first='Hana' last='Penberthy'], one of the best setters in the state in her age group. Senior outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id='438284' first='Kelly' last='Wright'] and Layla Lacafta are some of her offensive options alongside junior right side Juliánné Arruda, who just moved from Louisiana.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Decatur vs. Eaton</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>When:</strong> Tuesday, August 18, @ 6 PM<br><strong>Where:</strong> Decatur HS<br><strong>Why:</strong> Two teams with positive records in the Dallas area push to continue trending up in what should be a competitive non-district match. Currently holding a 6-3 win record, back-to-back defending champions Decatur trust their returning core led by senior libero [player_tooltip player_id='798772' first='Hope' last='Escobar'], junior outside hitter Ava Green, junior middle Sayler Pack and senior outside hitter Anna Wren to have another long and successful season. Eaton, which have six wins and two losses so far, have an elite scorer in senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='534308' first='Lexi' last='Martin'] and interesting pieces surrounding her, such as fellow senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='694805' first='Landri' last='Trice'], junior setter Keely Depauw and sophomore outside hitter/right side [player_tooltip player_id='847589' first='Laci' last='Martin'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brandeis vs. Smithson Valley</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>When:</strong> Tuesday, August 18, @ 6:15 PM<br><strong>Where:</strong> Brandeis HS<br><strong>Why:</strong> Two programs with strong reputations in the San Antonio area meet in an early non-district match. Brandeis, who have six wins and three losses right now, have a rising libero in sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='722035' first='Adalin' last='Gutierrez'] and a dynamic offense run by freshman setter [player_tooltip player_id='850973' first='Addison' last='Wells'] that features junior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='721758' first='Allison' last='Rodgers'] and junior outside hitter/middle [player_tooltip player_id='558883' first='Cecily' last='Alva']. Entering Tuesday's match with a 5-2 win record, Smithson Valley are led by senior setter Emma Feomaia, junior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='722064' first='Brienn' last='Brown'], freshman outside hitter Victoria Jaster and senior libero Madison Moody.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->