The top five seeds – Prestonwood Christian TX, Cathedral Catholic CA, Mater Dei CA, Grand Oaks TX and Dripping Springs TX – respectively made it through to the eight-team championship bracket as the three-day Volleypalooza extravaganza is set to conclude Saturday at Rouse. It’s the other three participants who have turned heads so far and will look to continue to take down higher-seeded squads in hopes of stunning the field.
The biggest surprise in the final eight is Bridgeland TX, which opened Thursday seeded No. 41 overall. However, the Bears were able to upset No. 7 Prosper TX on Day 1 and kept at it on Day 2. Despite a setback against Round Rock TX, Bridgeland managed to make it out on top of its pool after clipping Rockwall TX in three, 23-25, 25-23, 25-22, in the 1 v 2 outing. Bridgeland and Rockwall tied at 2-1, but the head-to-head victory carried Bridgeland – which also beat Southlake Carroll TX – in the tiebreaker scenario.
Not far behind Bridgeland is Sachse TX. The Mustangs entered Day 1 seeded No. 26 and finished in a three-way tie at 2-1 with Stratford TX and Clark TX. Sachse took second based on the tiebreakers, placing the Bears as the No. 4 team in Pool 6 on Friday. That was not an issue, as Sachse rose up and went 3-0, including beating No. 6 overall seed Lake Travis TX handily in two, 25-19, 25-21. Sachse swept Walnut Grove TX earlier before clinching first place by outlasting Pearland TX in three, 16-25, 25-23, 25-20, to close out its afternoon.
Rounding out the eight-team championship bracket is Cypress Ranch TX. The Mustangs didn’t have as far to climb as Bridgeland or Sachse, as they started off seeded No. 18 overall. After a 3-0 Day 1, Cy Ranch stayed alive by beating both Allen TX and Stratford in a three-team pool. That set up a crossover showdown for a spot in the final eight against No. 8 overall seed Colleyville Heritage TX. Cy Ranch prevailed in three, 25-22, 15-25, 25-21.
Before that, Colleyville held off Prosper, 26-24, 22-25, 25-23, to open play Friday. It was Prosper’s loss on Thursday that set up the early showdown and essentially ended Prosper’s chances at the final eight with the defeat to Colleyville.
Here’s how the quarterfinals stack up for Saturday:
• Prestonwood v Cypress Ranch
• Dripping Springs v Grand Oaks
• Mater Dei v Sachse
• Cathedral Catholic v Bridgeland
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DAY 2 SHOW STOPPERS
Sarah Hickman SO RS Stratford TX: A 6-4, 4-star recruit, Hickman brings plenty of length to the lineup. She contacts the ball at a high point and is tough to cover because of it as she can go over blocks at tough angles.
Gwen Koss SO OH Stratford TX: A 3-star recruit, Koss carries her share of the offensive responsibilities, getting a lot of swings on the outside. She’s a steady attacker who doesn’t try to overdo it and does well finding open spaces.
Alyssa Boyte SR MB/RS Allen TX: Boyte once again showed her skills. The Metro State commit played both middle and right side, as well as defending in the back row. She’s a near automatic on offense out of the middle, and helped complete a comeback victory over Stratford with four kills in the final five points in Game 3.
Kennedy Crayton SO OH Allen TX: Crayton is an undersized pin with an explosive jump. She gets up in a hurry and can unleash with a fury.
Sophia Wilson SR S Allen TX: Wilson – a Stephen F. Austin commit – is an undersized setter who does a great job running the offense. She not only locates consistently, she does well moving the ball around and mixing her sets up.
Avery Penrod JR L Allen TX: Penrod came alive as the match went on against Stratford. She was doing a great job picking off cross-court shots coming her way and extending rallies.
Sarah Mendoza JR L Colleyville Heritage TX: Mendoza – a 4-star recruit – fought through a collision with a teammate and kept on ticking. She was solid out of serve receive and did well making plays in the back row.
Suli Davis JR S/RS Colleyville Heritage TX: Davis – a 5-star recruit – starred once more in her dual role. She helped carry Colleyville to a key victory over Prosper. While she does a nice job setting, she really shines attacking with her massive arm and the way she can slam balls from sideline to sideline.
Maddie Bird SR OH Colleyville Heritage TX: Bird is a six-rotation glue piece. She’s not a flashy player but she doesn’t get fazed and was contributing in many ways, from solid serve receive to smart attacking and defensive prowess.
Hannah Beauford JR S/RS Prosper TX: A 4-star recruit, Beauford is a smooth disher who carries a strong arm when attacking across the front row. She’s a key piece in what Prosper does and had her hand in a lot of plays.
Ayden Ames SR OH Prosper TX: A 5-star Nebraska commit, Ames can be a wrecking ball at times. She can hit all over the court and with her size and length can hit hard angles like few can.
Jayla Jackson SO OH/RS Prosper TX: Jackson provided an offensive lift with her ability to score on either pin. She’s a bit undersized but knows how to use the block and tools well.
Karol Lopez SR L Vista Ridge TX: Vista Ridge is a smaller team overall and has to rely heavily on defense and digging. Lopez fits that bill to a tee, passing well and getting balls up all over the court.
Taylor Porter JR OH Cy Ranch TX: Porter – a 4-star Vanderbilt commit – is a six-rotation mainstay. She has a fluid arm and can rip balls from corner to corner.
Zora Bello SO RS Cy Ranch TX: A 3-star recruit, Bello does well on the right side adding offensive firepower to the lineup. She has a strong arm and helps open the attack, as defenses need to keep track of her.
Taryn Gilreath SR S Cy Ranch TX: A 3-star East Carolina commit, Gilreath was running a 5-1 effectively. She’s a steady disher who can move the ball around and keep defenses on their toes.
Savannah Skopal SR S Rouse TX: Skopal – a 4-star Rice commit – is one of the more entertaining setters to watch. She displays great leadership, and is really strong at taking off-target passes and turning them into hittable balls for her attackers.
Mary Schirpik JR L Rouse TX: A 3-star recruit, Schirpik can hold down the backrow with her ability to cover the court and make hustle plays.
Jadyn Wilgus SR MB Rouse TX: Wilgus – a 3-star ASU commit – is a game-changing middle for Rouse. Her ability to impact both sides of the ball with her scoring and blocking completely changes the court dynamic.
Naara Tanco SR RS Rouse TX: Tanco is a valuable piece because she can play six rotations. She’s a legit scoring threat whether front or back row and is someone defenses cannot sleep on.
Addison Moss SR S/RS Dawson TX: Moss – a Boise State beach commit – is a key component for Dawson as she sets and hits. She can move the ball around and is a heady attacker with off-speed and roll shots.
Dominque Phills SR OH Dawson TX: A 3-star Iowa commit, Phills is the go-to hitter for Dawson. She jumps very well and takes big swings in challenging the defense.
Kennedy Jones JR MB Dawson TX: Jones was doing well providing offense. When called upon, she was coming through consistently and able to get the ball past the block and down.
Jaci Hall SO RS SA Harlan TX: Hall – a 3-star recruit – is an up-and-comer who fits right in with what Harlan does. She has a lively arm and was bringing it when set.
Da’Mya Mann SO S/RS SA Harlan TX: A 3-star recruit, Mann plays with poise and composure beyond her age. She does well running the offense when in the back row with consistent setting. In the front row, she’s a bit underdsized but has a strong arm and can score all across the net.
Thalia Yancey JR OH SA Harlan TX: Yancey was impressive in what she brought to the attack. She’s a wirey hitter with a fluid swing who can drill balls all over the court.
Aniya Joseph SR OH SA Harlan TX: Joseph is a six-rotation outside who passes above average. She hits a heavy ball and can power through blocks on the regular.
Lolo Lambert SR OH Plano East TX: Lambert – a 4-star Arkansas commit – comes with it on the attack. She’s a springy hitter with a powerful arm and can boom balls down with authority.
Grace Pinegar FR OH Plano East TX: Pinegar could be a name to know. She’s young but was showing a nice arm and taking aggressive cuts at the ball.
Ashby Daniel SR MB Plano East TX: Daniel – a 3-star Alabama commit – brings much-needed size to the front row. She can make plays on both sides of the ball and causes problems with her length and reach.
Simone Heard SO MB Plano East TX: A 3-star recruit, Heard is an athletic middle who plays all the way around. She passes out of serve receive and can be a headache at the net with her quickness and speed on the attack.
