GAMES
RANKINGS
San Antonio Brandeis senior Jalyn Gibson was named MVP of the Katy-Cy-Fair tournament last weekend.
Gibson, Brandeis rally to win tourney championship
"It took a lot to fight back, and I knew we weren't going to give up," said Gibson, named the tournament's all-around MVP. "We really wanted this, and we fought for it."
The Broncos lost the first two sets, 25-19 and 25-21, and were on the brink of being swept before coach Madeline Williams made changes.
Williams switched from a 5-1 to a 6-2 offense and altered the lineup, including playing some girls who had yet to play a varsity game. Her team responded with three straight wins, 25-23, 25-21 and a demonstrative 15-5 fifth set win.
"We came in here with the goal to win it," Williams said. "We have high, high expectations. A lot of these seniors have played with me for years now. We had matches where we were behind, and for us to win and not give up, it's pulled us together closer."San
San Antonio Brandeis won the Katy-Cy-Fair volleyball tournament, going 8-0 and winning 18 of 22 sets.Dennis Silva II | VYPE Media
Gibson was phenomenal all game long. She had nine kills and two aces in the first set but had little support early.
That is, until Wilson's changes opened things for everyone else. Senior setter Carlee Pharris, freshman outside hitter Lola Isaeff and senior outside/right side hitter Leila Smalls were crucial in the final three sets, all contributing big plays at various points.
"That was not our team those first two sets," said Pharris, who had 15 kills and 36 assists. "It was a good wakeup call."
Gibson continued the hot start to her senior season. She is averaging 5.4 kills per set with a .287 hit percentage.
"It's my confidence," Gibson said. "I just never let that shut down. When I was a freshman, I wasn't so confident. Now, being a senior, I know I have to be more confident. Reading the blocks, connecting with my setters. Everything was working."
Gibson kept the Broncos afloat early on until her teammates could get into a groove. That helped keep Cy-Ranch from blowing out Brandeis, which looked likely early on.
"She's super coachable," Williams said of Gibson. "She's been a starter since her freshman year, a six-rotation player since her freshman year. Running her in the middle or outside, we see what works and we go with it. It's the adjustments.
"If I tell her a spot to hit, she'll hit it. She's just so talented. We use her from the back row, too."
Brandeis runs a fast offense, creating splits for Gibson and moving blockers due to the terrific chemistry between Pharris and Gibson. The two are best friends and both will be playing for the Horned Frogs next fall.
"Jalyn is so talented, skill-wise," Pharris said. "She's so confident in hitting. No matter what situation we're in, I know she'll get the kill. She's just super dependent."
Gibson and the Broncos have put Region IV on notice that they are a force to be reckoned with. The Broncos went 8-0 at the tournament, which consisted of a 48-team field. They won 18 sets and only lost four.
"We're definitely a close team, and that's been big for us," Gibson said. "Just hoping we can stay that way. I'm hoping to not have one bad game, and just fighting and sacrificing for everyone."
2020 All-VYPE San Antonio Public School Volleyball Team
With Reagan advancing to the State Semi Finals, and a tremendous performance by San Antonio's 6A District 28 and District 29 having all four teams in the Regional round- we can all agree the local talent was on fire! Likewise, the very talented New Braunfels Canyon made a deep run to the Regional Finals and we are already excited for next year!
With this season in the books, it's time to name the All- VYPE team and hand out the postseason accolades.
POSTSEASON ACCOLADES
Player of the Year: Nyah Anderson, Reagan
Coach of the Year: Heather Sanders, New Braunfels Canyon
Hitter of the Year: Jalyn Gibson, Brandeis
Setter of the Year: Carlee Pharris, Brandeis
Middle Blocker of the Year: Elise McGhee, Clark
Defensive Specialist/Libero of the Year: Bryshanna Brown, O'Connor
Utility Player of the Year: Erin Jones, New Braunfels Canyon
Newcomer of the Year: Grace Carroll, Alamo Heights
By Bradley Collier
OUTSIDE HITTER
1st Team
Julia Aleman, Reagan
Kyla Malone, New Braunfels Canyon
Mackenzie Vernon, Harlan
Shavonne Respondek, Madison
Naomi Ortiz, Smithson Valley
2nd Team
Morgan Baese, New Braunfels
Jamiryana Hall, Taft
McKenzie Woitena, New Braunfels Canyon
Megan Runyan, Devine
Hannah Wittingstall, Alamo Heights
Sadie McAda, Pleasanton
Honorable Mention
Mackenzie Mahr, O'Connor
Kylie Wickley, Alamo Heights
Allie Scheidle, Kerrville Tivy
Mia Francis, Stevens
Faith Coldewey, Floresville
Allie Scheidle, Kerrville Tivy
Megan Wahrmund, Fredericksburg
Maselina Tuufuli, Steele
Elizabeth Williams, Navarro
Lauren Roberts, Boerne
Natalie Schulter, Boerne Champion
SETTERS
1st Team
Trinity Herrera, Clark
Terez Chavez, O'Connor
Julie Arguijo, Harlan
2nd Team
Rylee Davis, Madison
Madisyn Jones, Boerne
Shaylan Wright, Smithson Valley
Honorable Mention
Maribel Martinez, Reagan
Abigail Halstead, Brandeis
Emily Reinhard, La Vernia
Kearstin Davis, Reagan
Cayla Reyes, Harlandale
Ella Brunson, New Braunfels
Kristen Bernal, MacArthur
Kendra Grimm, Johnson
DS/LIBEROS
1st Team
Maddie Correa, Reagan
Addison Evans, New Braunfels Canyon
Amy Dewalt, Brandeis
2nd Team
Jaci Mesa, Smithson Valley
Leilani Moore, Harlan
Alyssa Manitzas, Reagan
Honorable Mention
Julissa Casas, LeeJade Bernal, New Braunfels
Chloe Martin, Johnson
Alyssa Ortega, Churchill
Dominique Guerra, McCollum
Keirson Jalowy, Kerrville Tivy
MIDDLE BLOCKERS
1st Team
Courtney Pope, New Braunfels Canyon
Canada Buchanan, Clemens
Remi Vanderpool, Reagan
2nd Team
Kyla Solis, Medina Valley
Madison Pike, Devine
Ahzhalon Coleman, Brennan
Madelynn Wallace, La Vernia
Honorable Mention
Lexi Gingras, Johnson
Summer Silva, Warren
Angelli Sanchez, McCollum
Chichi Ozigbo, Reagan
Cypress Guenther, New Braunfels
Nia Mack, Wagner
UTILITY PLAYERS
1st Team
Lexi Davila, O'Connor
Kiana Fallaha, Harlan
Emma Halstead, Brandeis
Kristin Swize, La Vernia
2nd Team
Bekah Williams, Smithson Valley
Emma Helmke, Churchill
Mia Robles, O'Connor
Spencer McCool, Medina Valley
Congratulations to all our area players and teams on such a wild and successful 2020 season!
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