High School Pre-Season Spotlight: Dripping Springs

<p>Heading over to the Austin area for our next pre-season report, we will discuss the Tigers of Dripping Springs. Last season, Dripping Springs made it all the way to the regional final game versus district rival Comal Canyon. The Tigers have a new challenge this year, moving up a classification to district 26-6A. The last two seasons of realignment were played at the 5A level, and Dripping Springs did very well. In 2021 they won 36 games and in 2020, the shorted COVID season, they won 23. Coach Michael Kane's biggest challenge will be the movement from 5A to 6A. Below we will discuss some returning options for Dripping Springs as well as their plan to make the postseason. </p> <p>Last season Dripping Springs finished 2nd in their district, only losing to Comal Canyon. They posted a 36-14 record on the season and made the region finals. Even though their new district will look completely different, the offensive senior-loaded front for Dripping Springs will bring back some familiar faces. Senior<span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong> [player_tooltip player_id="87537" first="Mackenzie" last="Plante"]</strong> </span>will return as a 6 rotation outside hitter. Plante, who is committed to Tennessee, is a dual-threat from the front or the back row. Last season she had 522 kills. She is a decent passer in serve receive as well and can play defense. Senior middle blocker <span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="176636" first="Natalie" last="Arnold"]</strong></span> will return as well. She has a great vertical and will make you work if you are the opposing block. Natalie will be going on to Wofford College to play volleyball after her senior year.</p> <p>Senior beach player<span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong> Ava Williamson</strong> </span>will jump back indoors for Dripping Springs after playing a full year of beach volleyball. Ava had 220 kills in 2021, and she will go on to play beach volleyball for Arizona State. Senior <strong><span style="color: #0000ff;">[player_tooltip player_id="87541" first="Karley" last="Sledge"]</span></strong> will return after having a great junior year, posting 326 kills. Coach Kane will also look to sophomores <span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong>Ashley Euston</strong></span> and <strong><span style="color: #0000ff;">[player_tooltip player_id="179891" first="Riley" last="Certain"]</span></strong> to pick up some slack on offense as well. Another great addition to an already intact team will be freshman <strong><span style="color: #0000ff;">Henley Anderson</span></strong>. Henley is currently one of the best 2026 outside hitters in the state right now, standing at 6'3, she has been playing 6 rotations for Austin Performance this off-season. </p> <p>Dripping Springs has a great set of weapons to compete in 6A. They will have plenty of time with pre-season tournaments, to make adjustments if needed. Fortunately for Dripping Springs, they have always played a very tough schedule, including powerhouse 5A and 6A schools, and have been doing this for quite some time. We are very optimistic that coach Kane and the Tigers will make a push for another playoff run this post-season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>