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Friendswood's Nadi'ya Shelby
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Olivia Jones -- Clear Creek Volleyball
Sr. OH Olivia Jones (No. 8) alongside fellow stars of 2024-25 Clear Creek Volleyball
Photo acquired via Twitter (@Creek_Vball)
The Wildcats are coming off another impressive outing this past Fall, in which they finished second in District 24-6A prior to reaching the Area Round of the 2023 postseason.
In terms of the talent coming back for coach Scott Simonds this upcoming campaign, no player will be more valuable to Clear Creek than that of soon-to-be senior Olivia Jones.
From the outside hitter position, Jones led the team in kills a year ago, with 563, which earned her first-team, all-district honors.
While she is currently uncommitted, that will unlikely be the case in the coming months as she looks to repeat that effort in the ensuing Fall season.
Nadi'ya Shelby -- Friendswood Volleyball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
It didn't take long for audiences to become familiar with the name Nadi'ya Shelby.
The Friendswood and Houston Skyline super-star solidified herself as a bona fide game-changer in 2023, when she guided the Mustangs to an undefeated district championship and subsequent appearance in the Regional Quarterfinals.
In doing so, Shelby was named the District 18-5A MVP and the GHVCA 5A Hitter of the Year to add onto her growing list of accolades.
Most recently, the incoming junior OH officially announced her commitment to continue her career at the University of Florida, where she'll join the, now, graduated Jaela Auguste (Grand Oaks) in 2026.
Shelby, who also competes in basketball and track, will look to lead Friendswood once again this Fall, as they aim to represent H-Town in the State Tourney come November.
Cade Adams -- Pearland Baseball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
During Pearland's 2024 campaign, which saw them reach the UIL-6A State Final for the second-straight season, one of the subtle heroes of the ball-club was none other than their catcher Cade Adams.
While most eyes were on Nico Partida, John Moya, Walker Hurst, Jake Mader-Cooper, and Jaden Barfield, among others, Adams proceeded to shine despite not being in the constant spotlight.
He contributed numerous clutch hits in the Oilers' road back to State, and finished the year with a respectable .269 batting average.
While he competes for his club team (Marucci Elite), Adams -- who will be a senior in 2025 -- is committed to play for Southern Mississippi at the conclusion of his high school career, and will be a key figure in Pearland's roster a year from now.
Kenna Sambrano -- Lutheran South Academy Volleyball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
No Houston team was more dominant on the private school volleyball scene in 2023 than Lutheran South Academy.
The Pioneers concluded their campaign with a record of 41-8 and ended up as the TAPPS-5A State Runner-Up, which is a testament to the level of talent the program produces on an annual basis.
Kirra Musgrove (Texas A&M-commit) will get the majority of the praise, and rightfully so. However, volleyball is very much a team sport and the complementary performances of the team's other major players should not go unnoticed.
Speaking of which, incoming senior MB Kenna Sambrano is coming off a year in which she racked up nearly 300 kills, 56 blocks, and 42 digs to earn an all-state honorable mention.
Sambrano, along with Aniston Collins (Jr. S), Haleigh Pham (Sr. MB), and Jamie Faseler (Sr. DS) will play integral roles in LSA's run back to State in 2024.
Ryan Hernandez -- Clear Springs Baseball
The Chargers advanced all the way to the Regional Semis of the postseason this past Spring, on the heels of taking silver within District 24-6A.
Naturally, there were several post-season accolades doled out to the program's premier players -- the biggest stand-out being the, now, graduated Ryan Hernandez, who earned a unanimous first-team, all-district selection for his efforts in the outfield.
Hernandez will surely be missed, as he takes his talents to San Jacinto CC in the upcoming year. However, the standard he and his team continues to set will live long in the memory of the Clear Springs fan-base.
Ashton Hampton of Pearland Football
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Addison Moss, Pearland Dawson Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Dawson (38-10; 11-1) has become a model on consistency in recent memory.
After winning the district title for the fourth time in the last five years, the Eagles went on to reach the Regional Tournament for the seventh-consecutive season this Fall.
Even though they ultimately fell to the eventual state finalist Cinco Ranch in Round No. 4 of the postseason, Pearland Dawson has nothing to be ashamed of, considering they featured one of the most complete rosters in all of Texas.
With stars such as first-teamers Kennedy Jones (Jr. MH), Jenna Thedford (So. DS), Keaton Points (So. MH), and the district Offensive Player of the Year Dominique Phills (Sr. OH), it's easy to see how the Eagles reached this height.
The most prolific player off all, however, was senior S/OH Addison Moss.
The Boise State-commit (sand volleyball) experienced one of her best showings in her high school career, registering 274 kills, 322 digs, and a whopping 725 assists which garnered her the honor of being named the District 23-6A MVP.
Ashton Hampton, Pearland Football
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
The Oilers came to play in 2023.
Despite competing the vastly competitive District 23-6A, Pearland (9-3; 6-1) exceeded expectations to finish second in the district prior to their playoff run, which saw them advance to the Area round.
Combined with an impressive rushing attack, helmed by the Offensive MVP Ladamion McDowell, the other side of the ball proves to be a real difference-maker in their successes this Fall.
Senior FS Ashton Hampton was a key piece in Pearland's stingy defense, which limited opponents to roughly 19 points per game on the season.
Individually, the Texas Tech-commit racked up 39 combined tackles, five interceptions, seven passes defended, and two forced fumbles on the year to earn himself first-team all-district honors.
Ashley Richardson, Clear Springs Volleyball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Over the course of the regular season, it was made perfectly clear that Clear Springs was going to be a contender in the playoffs.
Following an undefeated district championship, the Chargers (33-14; 12-0) would advance three rounds deep into the postseason thanks to the efforts of the premier competitors on the court.
Speaking of which, senior setter Ashley Richardson played a major role in Clear Springs' success in 2023.
Richardson finished the season with nearly 400 kills, 483 digs, and over 600 assists which earned her the title of District 24-6A MVP.
Alongside Co-Offensive Player of the Year Anzley Rinard (442 kills), Setter of the Year Morgan Durdens (940 assists), and first-teamer Abby Fuller (620 digs), this Clear Springs squad will undoubtedly be one to remember.
Landon Vessel, Clear Falls Football
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
As expected, Clear Falls (7-5; 5-1) was a force worth reckoning in the District 24-6A race.
After finishing second in the district, the Knights reached the Area round of the playoffs for the third time in four years, where they would narrowly fall to C.E. King.
Despite the season ending sooner than preferred, there were several bright spots which should not go unnoticed -- particularly that of the Knights' signal-caller Landon Vessel.
The Clear Falls QB had yet another impressive outing in 2023, in which he threw for over 2,000 yards with 12 touchdowns while scoring 12 more on the ground for 459 yards.
Without question, Vessel was a worthy candidate to be selected first-team all-district.
McKinley Cole, Clear Creek Volleyball
Jamey Wright (VYPE)
Despite experiencing a series of ups and downs during the regular season, Clear Creek (25-21; 8-4 in district) was nothing if not resilient throughout.
Following a second place finish just behind Clear Springs in District 24-6A, the Wildcats advanced to the Area round of the postseason.
There were bright spots all around for this squad. From Olivia Jones (Jr. OH), to Alison Figueroa (Jr. DS) and Laila Paulino (Jr. RS), it was clear who the stars were for Clear Creek.
However, who it was senior McKinley Cole (Temple College-signee) who consistently elevated the squad to their highest potential.
From the setter position, Cole tallied nearly 900 assists on the year, while also racking up 450 digs to earn a first-team all-district selection.