August 10, 2023

The 2023 high school volleyball season kicked off with the MISD Methodist Mansfield Medical Center Invitational. This annual event was spread across five high schools, and I got the chance to watch the pools at Mansfield and Lake Ridge high schools on the first day. The atmosphere was electric as teams competed fiercely, showcasing their skills and teamwork. The matches were intense, filled with remarkable displays of athleticism.  One team that I was excited to see was the El Paso Franklin High School squad. Despite their smaller stature, these athletes brought the heat with their incredible athleticism. Setter Hannah Finn was dishing well for her squad, while senior outside Jordan Imperial unleashed a barrage of powerful hits from the outside. Defensive specialist Ireanna Carrasco showcased her defensive prowess with some superb plays. Victoria Bailey swung with confidence, pressuring opposing defenses, while Lindsay Herrera stood tall as a formidable blocker in the middle. Their fearless swings against big blocks and never say die defense was fun to watch. The match between Waxahachie and Frisco Memorial was a great match to finish Day 1. Tionna Owens from Waxahachie dominated the middle with her wall-like defense and powerful hits. The Waxahachie libero Brennan Ramirez showcased incredible speed and serve receive passing, while their outside hitter Migdaly Bernal delivered explosive hits. Frisco Memorial’s Ava Steffe swung with precision, and setter Kiana Babaei distributed excellent balls. Julianna Hernandez, Frisco Memorial’s libero, was a scrapper in the backcourt. Teams that went 3-0 on Day 1 included Mansfield, Colleyville Heritage, Lake Ridge, Waxahachie, Bushland, El Paso Franklin, El Paso Coronado and Canyon West Plains. *** DAY 1 SHOW STOPPERS Rachel Resta, SR S, Mansfield- Resta, a 3-star recruit committed to Oral Roberts, was dishing with authority. She quarterbacks her team well. Kylie Meche, SO OH, Mansfield- Meche jumps incredibly well and when she connects she can crank on the outside.  Landri Jay, JR L, Canyon- Jay was literally everywhere. She was also passing well in serve receive all day. Cali Mckinley, JR OH, Canyon- Mckinley is an undersized outside who is a firecracker. She swings with fire and plays scrappy defense.  Mira Klem, SR S/RS, Coppell- Klem, normally a setter/rightside, is actually playing everywhere on the court for her squad. She has a huge block at the net and is an offensive threat to opposing teams.  Hannah Finn, JR S, El Paso Franklin- Finn is strong and moves the ball well for her squad. She also has no fear in running down balls to keep her team in the match.  Jordan Imperial, SR OH, El Paso Franklin- Imperial is a bit undersized on the outside but she doesn’t care. She fires through the block with ease. Defensively she is scrappy.  Grace Sweeney, SR OH, Midlothian Heritage- Sweeney, an undersized outside, is a handful for defenses and she can unload on the ball well. Caitlin Beckham, JR S, Midland Legacy- Beckham, a 5-1 setter, was doing a great job dishing the entire court. She connected well with her hitters. Sarah Philley, SR MB, Midland Legacy- Philley is a wall defensively at the net. She also makes smart plays offensively.  Dawn Moore, SO S/RS, Lake Ridge- Lefty Moore, a 3 star-recruit, cranks on the ball when she is on the pins. She splits roles and does a great job dishing her teammates. Mckenzie Charles, JR MB, Lake Ridge- Charles, an undersized but incredibly athletic middle, runs the quicks with authority. Madelyn Ross, JR S/RS, South Grand Prairie- Ross is a competitor. She swings with aggression in the front row and dishes the ball effectively in the back row.  London Baker, SR S/RS, Hereford- Baker is a setter who has a lively arm in the front row and sets smoothly in the back row. Tionna Owens, SR MB, Waxahachie- Owens, was a constant force at the net. Her wingspan helped her seal the net against anything tight with her huge block. Migdaly Bernal, SR OH, Waxahachie- Bernal is a six-rotation outside who both swings and blocks well.\ Ava Steffe, JR OH, Frisco Memorial- Steffe is the do-it-all six-rotation outside. She is explosive and consistent all the way around. Julianna Hernandez, SO L, Frisco Memorial- Hernandez, a 3-star recruit, was everywhere in the back court. She is smooth in serve receive and digs anything thrown her way. Freshman Standouts Laney Jones, S/RS Canyon Madison Hatley, OH South Grand Prairie Scarlett Young, MB South Grand Prairie Brooklyn Ross, L Lake Ridge Brielle Smith, RS Lake Ridge Kensli Holley-Tyler, S Lake Ridge