Houston Area HS Previews: 6A - District 17

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 17   Cy-Fair   Cy-Fair were the second-best team in the district last season, completing their schedule with 12 wins and two losses. They survived two playoff rounds before seeing their run come to an end against Cinco Ranch in the Regional Quarterfinals. The Lady Bobcats will have a big challenge this season as five of their seven starters from 2023 graduated - setter Bianca Byerly, right side Claire Kody, middles Hannah Larkin and Presley Steward and libero Emily Abad. Outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id='269780' first='Arianna' last='Muoneke'] (junior) and [player_tooltip player_id='189341' first='Karina' last='Smith'] (senior) will have new players around them, with junior middle Gina Granger and senior setter Kaylee Williams emerging as potential starters.   Cypress Creek   Cypress Creek ended last year's district play in fifth place with five wins and nine losses. Returning in 2024, the Lady Cougars won't have middle/outside hitter Alyssa Dinh, right side Jayden Stoneburner and setters Karis Napier and Charlotte Heaney, who graduated. This season's team should have senior [player_tooltip player_id='269801' first='Jaeda' last='Rawls-Fletcher'] in the middle, senior Alex Olson and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='443018' first='Devyn' last='Wilkes'] at the pin and senior Sydney Martin at libero.   Cypress Falls   Cypress Falls have a new home following the realignment and will join from District 16, where they were seventh last season with two wins and 12 losses. Three important players from last year's squad will no longer be available after graduation - middle Deanne Boateng, setter Kahlis McCray and defensive specialist Haley Cimas. Playing key roles for the Lady Eagles in the upcoming season will be outside hitters Tyler Sharrett (sophomore) and Katelyn Wattell (junior), senior middle Peyton Blackwell-Spangler, senior libero Haley Buchanan and senior setters Jada Basped and Isabelle Davila.   Cypress Ridge   Cypress Ridge were fourth in the district last season, getting seven wins and seven losses. They made it past bi-district in the playoffs, but fell to Tompkins in the area round. The team's best player in recent years, outside hitter Shaelin White graduated alongside middle Rayna Dixon and libero Lauren Songvilay. The core of the Lady Rams in 2024 should have senior middle Wendy Shada, senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='443117' first='Jolie' last='Jones'], junior right side Jessica Tyson and setters Dercy Mercado (senior) and Grace Massingill (junior).   Jersey Village   Jersey Village ranked third in the district last season, with nine wins and five losses. Their playoff run ended in the area round, when they lost to Cinco Ranch. In their next campaign, the Lady Falcons will miss middle Sophia Burke, outside hitter Madi Diedrich and libero Julia Ultis, who graduated. Senior outside hitter Elianna Freeman will be the focal point of their offense in 2024, with juniors Sofi Novak (right side), Claire Bezanilla (outside hitter) and Bradi Johnson (middle) also playing prominent roles and senior Bella Spjut and junior [player_tooltip player_id='443113' first='Aubrey' last='Peters'] splitting time at setter.   Memorial   Memorial missed the playoffs last season, finishing fifth in the district with seven wins and seven losses. The Lady Mustangs will be back without some seniors who graduated, including outside hitter Ashley Sadler, middle Hannah Bothe and setter Deveny Gilmore. The new team will have seniors Georgia Sperandio (right side), Gianna Hirvonen (outside hitter) and [player_tooltip player_id='254290' first='Reese' last='Haley'] (middle) as their offensive references, with juniors Ella Ross and [player_tooltip player_id='269813' first='Kassia' last='Tan'] appearing at setter and libero respectively.   Northbrook   Northbrook sat at the bottom of the district standings last season with a winless campaign of 14 losses. Looking to do better in 2024, the Lady Raiders will need to overcome the loss of a strong senior class that featured outside hitters Emily Salgado and Jaylyn Marispe, middle Zoe Rojas and setter Angie Romero. Leading the team this season will be seniors Emily Solis (middle), Andrea Valencia (libero) and Julvina Arabina (setter).   Stratford   Stratford dominated the district last year with a perfect record of 14 wins. The Lady Spartans couldn't advance much further in the playoffs, falling to Seven Lakes in the area round. Outside hitters Sophie Corbeil and Chloe Popkin, middle Emma Dunwoody, libero Izzy Rodriguez and setter Jaelyn Cheng are among the seniors who graduated after the last campaign. Despite the numerous losses, Stratford continue to have a very strong roster with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='323202' first='Audrey' last='Cook'] (setter), [player_tooltip player_id='269826' first='Sarah' last='Hickman'] (right side) and [player_tooltip player_id='254038' first='Gwenyth' last='Koss'] (outside hitter) and seniors Avery Kent (right side) and Rachel Ashby (libero).

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.