Another Texas state championship weekend has come and passed. And like every year there were teams predicted at the beginning of the year to finish well and others which performed well in the end. It was fun to see the chemistry of teams who came and left it all on the court and it was awesome to see some underclassmen making their presence known. I wanted to shine a spotlight on the athletes who stood out in the final matches throughout the tournament.
Swinging with Fire
No matter what division you got to watch there were some amazing hitters on the court throughout the tournament. From opposites to middle blockers to outside itters fire power was definitely on display. Hitters that shined were Katy Thompkins athletes senior Cindy Tchouangwa (Rice), junior Skylar Skrabanek (Florida State commit), and senior Tendai Titley (Bradley), Dripping Springs athletes senior Mackenzie Plante (Tennessee), sophomore Riley Certain, and freshman Henley Anderson, Colleyville Heritage athletes senior Ella Busey (Houston), senior Reagan Engler (Air Force), and sophomore Suli Davis, Frisco Reedy athletes senior Halle Schroder (Boston College) and senior Reese Miller (Texas A&M Corpus Christi), Aubrey athlete senior Sydney Garrison (Tarleton State), Canyon Randall athlete junior Jordyn Gove, and Gunter athletes senior Rayanna Mauldin (Southern Nazarene) and senior Miranda Putnicki (UTSA).
Setters running the show
Setting was another area that was impressive to watch. Colleyville Heritage senior Morgan Howard (Louisiana Monroe) led the way with collecting 51 assists in the final match against Frisco Reedy. She was also named MVP in the end and it was well deserved. Frisco Reedy senior S/Opp Gracie Cagle (Montana) also shined on the court during that finals match. Reedy ran a 6-2 allowing Cagle to swing. Two setters with sass that were definitely shining on the court were Canyon Randall sophomore Sidney Soria and Bushland senior Logan Culpepper. And Dripping Springs has two setters who dished efficiently. One being freshman Sydney Lund who is mentioned below and the other is junior Presley Alford.
Liberos running the court
Athleticism and the no fear attitude was alive and well in the gym this weekend. We all love to watch some great swings but let’s be honest, an amazing dig can fire up a squad just as fast! Liberos who definitely ran the court included Dripping Springs senior Taylor Tjelmeland, Katy Tompkins sophomore Brooklynn Merrell, Colleyville Heritage junior Ava Ash, Canyon Randall senior Tatum Brandt, and Gunter senior Briley Singleton.
Freshmen making an impact
Impact freshmen throughout the tournament was impressive. Dripping Springs had two freshmen who made a huge impact. Outside hitter Henley Anderson was seriously fun to watch. At 6-2 she never left the court and was swinging like a senior. Setter Sydney Lund is another one to watch in the future. Another outside hitter who was fun to watch was Blum athlete Kinsley McPherson. She was actually named MVP of division 1A in the end. Freshman middle blocker Callie Funk from Katy Tompkins was a wall at the net and transitioned very nicely. And the last freshman I wanted to highlight is Anna Flores from Keller HS. She came into the season as an opposite and backup setter but ended up playing middle in the end. She stepped up into a position she never played.
Final Results
1A: Blum 3, D’Hanis 0 (25-10, 25-17, 25-16)
All-Tournament Team
- MVP Kinsley McPherson – Freshman – Blum
- Emma Scott – Junior – Blum
- Ruby Rumohr – Junior – Blum
- Kayden Arrington – Junior – Blum
- Mabry Herrmann – Senior – D’Hanis
- Valeria Zavala – Junior – Benjamin
2A: Windthorst 3, Lindsay 2 (25-12, 20-25, 25-23, 14-25, 15-12)
All-Tournament Team
- MVP Rylee Wolf – Junior – Windthorst
- Annikah Frank – Junior – Windthorst
- Tara Tackett – Senior – Windthorst
- Kyla Metzler – Senior – Lindsay
- Emily Metzler – Junior – Lindsay
- Emily Sitton – Junior – Jewett Leon
3A: Gunter 3, Bushland 0 (29-27, 25-23, 25-20)
All-Tournament Team
- MVP Rayanna Mauldin – Senior – Gunter
- Miranda Putnicki – Senior – Gunter
- Briley Singleton – Senior – Gunter
- Kaela Neie – Senior – Bushland
- Logan Culpepper – Senior – Bushland
- Kellen Dorotik – Senior – East Bernard
4A: Canyon Randall 3, Aubrey 0 (25-16,25-17, 27-25)
All-Tournament Team
- MVP Jordyn Gove – Junior – Canyon Randall
- Sidney Soria – Sophomore – Canyon Randall
- Sydney Garrison – Senior – Aubrey
- Annaleise Sevier – Junior – Aubrey
- Sydney McKay – Sophomore – Bellville
- Abby Aschenbeck – Senior – Bellville
5A: Colleyville Heritage 3, Frisco Reedy 1 (25-14, 23-25, 25-18, 25-20)
All-Tournament Team:
- MVP Morgan Howard – Senior – Colleyville Heritage
- Suli Davis – Sophomore – Colleyville Heritage
- Ella Busey – Senior – Colleyville Heritage
- Reagan Engler – Senior – Colleyville Heritage
- Halle Schroder – Senior – Frisco Reedy
- Reese Miller – Senior – Frisco Reedy
6A: Dripping Springs 3, Katy Tompkins 0 (26-24, 25-15,25-19)
All-Tournament Team
- MVP Mackenzie Plante – Senior – Dripping Springs
- Henley Anderson – Freshman – Dripping Springs
- Ava Williamson – Senior – Dripping Springs
- Tendai Titley – Senior – Katy Tompkins
- Taylor Polivka – Senior – Keller
- Claire DeWine – Senior – Conroe The Woodlands
