Join our VYPE Live crew for this Texas High School Football match-up on Friday, October 23:
7PM - Bryan Reed, Brad Cone, Cecil Coconougher
In the midst of the most preeminent season their program has ever seen, Stratford (42-2) has never stopped believing in what they can accomplish.
After defeating Shadow Creek (3-1) in the Region III Final, the Spartans followed that up with another win in four sets against Vandegrift on Tuesday -- securing their place in the state championship for the first time since 2002.
Now, can they take it a step further and finally clinch the title?
Coach Jenny Adcock, the staff, the players, and their loyal fan-base certainly seem to think so.
What makes this group so threatening -- aside from their noticeable size -- is the fact that they're so well-balanced across the board.
Gwen Koss (465 kills, 423 digs), Sarah Hickman (361 kills), and Avery Kent (312 kills) provide the offensive production, thanks to Audrey Cook (1,259 assists, 363 digs) working her setter's magic.
Additionally, senior libero Rachel Ashby (527 digs) is all over the floor, while sophomore Milena Miladinovic (118 blocks) has stepped into a larger role.
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However, Stratford will have their work cut out for them when facing the monster out of Dallas-Fort Worth -- Byron Nelson.
Making their first State appearance since 2019 -- a year in which they took the UIL-6A Title -- the Bobcats are the No. 1-ranked team in the nation, according to MaxPreps.
They could give legitimately compete with college teams, given their considerable stature and capability.
With coach Brianne Groth at the helm, Byron Nelson has lost a mere 8 sets in 40 games this Fall, most recently sweeping College Park in the State Semis, to bring their record to a near-perfect 39-1.
Washington-commit Kylie Kleckner (573 kills, 297 digs) and Rice-commit Ashlyn Seay (468 kills, 304 digs) form a dynamic duo in the kill-department, while sophomore Sophee Peterson (1,432 assists, 194 kills), Kaitlyn Francis (385 digs), and Emily Houskneht (323 digs) further bolster a loaded Bobcats roster.
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Both these programs are enjoying monumental seasons. But, who will ultimately be crowned champion? Tune in Saturday (4:00 pm) at the Curtis Culwell Center to find out.
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THE PINNACLE: UIL Volleyball State Final Preview -- McKinney North vs. Flour Bluff (5A-D1)
22 Nov, 2024
Despite what the odds might have indicated, McKinney North (28-11) has proven the doubters wrong time and again, as they reached the UIL State Tourney for the first time ever since the school was founded in 2000.
Now, they've punched their ticket to the Final on the heels of defeating Aledo, in what was a five-set slug-fest.
What's even more surprising is the fact that the Bulldogs have accomplished said feat with a younger roster than most.
Coach Libby Rodriguez's squad is elevated by a trio of juniors -- LSU-commit (beach volleyball) Allyn Brewer (461 kills, 440 digs), Texas A&M-commit Gabi Rodriguez (881 digs), and the team's leading setter, Jordan Kowallis (677 assists, 247 digs).
Furthermore, Chloe Lewis (Jr. MB // 305 kills), Malia McNeal (So. S // 590 assists), and freshman Anna Sayman (232 kills) round out a scary-good six-rotation for MNHS.
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Meanwhile, out of Corpus Christi, TX, Flour Bluff (37-12) also makes its State debut, following their 3-1 win over power-house College Station on Tuesday night.
Led by coach Kara Wallace and her staff, the Hornets feature a bevy of super-star athletes, beginning with senior Maggie Croft, who has tallied 680 kills and 443 digs in her swan-song season before moving on to SMU next Fall.
Junior Lola Fisher has been dishing dimes all year long, having recently surpassed the 1,000-assist mark for 2024, while sophomores Addison Mayo (702 digs), Alyssa Thornton (354 kills), Kristina Rodriguez (247 assists), and Kate Croft (234 kills) have chipped in on a consistent basis.
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This has the potential to be a five-setter when the Bulldogs and Hornets square up Saturday afternoon (2:00 pm) in Garland. Don't miss out!
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2024-25 Grand Oaks Basketball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
16 -- GRAND OAKS GRIZZLIES
Grand Oaks and coach Anthony Stephens return three experienced starters off of a 23-17 team that reached the third round of the postseason. The newest Conroe ISD school will have a legit shot at a district title this season and a historic run in the playoffs.
The Grizzlies’ back-court of Trae Lewis, Mike Rosario and Kevin Waddell are their “big three” and are interchangeable.
“We had a good run last year and the guys are hungry to get back there,” Stephens said. “We want to make a run to San Antonio and make our own footprint in this district.”
Jadyn Murray and Ben Garett will be key factors in their ultimate success.
“They are the bigs, who are the ‘X-factors’ to our season,” Stephens said. “They give us length and the ability to defend the paint. We really need them to play big.”
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