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Some of the stars of 2024-25 Grand Oaks Volleyball
THE NEW AGE: No. 1 Grand Oaks seeks to retain their crown
NO. 1 -- GRAND OAKS GRIZZLIES
Head Coach: Morgan Rogers
2023: 50-1/UIL-6A State Champions
GRAND OAKS PIECED TOGETHER ONE OF THE GREATEST VOLLEYBALL SEASONS EVER IN 2023.
The Grizzlies went 50-1 overall and claimed the Class 6A State Championship – the first title the school has seen since opening its doors in 2018. The scary aspect of this team is that they bring back plenty of firepower.
Halle Thompson (Wisconsin Commit) led Grand Oaks with 531 kills a year ago, as a sophomore, and earned UIL 6A State Tournament MVP honors, District 13-6A co-Offensive MVP, and GHVCA 6A Hitter of the Year. Additionally, Thompson was also named to TGCA All-State, THSCA 6A Super Elite Team and second–team, All-American by PrepVolleyball.
Samara Coleman clocked in 513 kills in her junior campaign and has accumulated over 1,000 kills in her high school career. Coleman shared the District 13-6A co-Offensive MVP honors with Thompson and also claimed the TSWA 6A Player of the Year and TGCA 6A All-State honors. Furthermore, Coleman is committed to the University of Pittsburgh.
Cali Reece is back after leading the squad in digs with 464, followed by Coleman’s 321 and Thompson’s 301. Samantha Sampson will step into the full-time setter role after notching 457 assists in 2023. Both Reece and Sampson are on the AVCA Phenom Watch List.
Other names to remember include Julia Flessas and Hailey Lotspeich.
As sixth-year coach Morgan Rogers enters this Fall, keys to success for her squad include, “finding a new team identity, adapting to a new team, strong leadership and keeping competition level high”.
Watch out for the Grizzlies as they chase another crown in 2024.
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The stars of 2024-25 The Woodlands Volleyball
POWER IN THE SMALL: Reputation precedes No. 5 The Woodlands
NO. 5 -- THE WOODLANDS HIGHLANDERS
Head Coach: Terri Wade
2023: 33-16/Regional Quarterfinalists
THE WOODLANDS REACHED THE REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS A YEAR AGO AND FINISHED WITH 33 VICTORIES UNDER THEIR BELT.
Making the playoffs is a TWHS tradition, considering they’ve done so each year over the past two decades, while making a deep run is also part of that.
Five starters return for 10th-year coach Terri Wade (540 overall career coaching victories, 346 at The Woodlands), including Arizona State-commit Ella Lewis. The Highlanders’ outside hitter finished as an all-state selection in 2023.
University of Central Arkansas-commit Cameron McDaniel is also coming off an all-district-caliber season.
Others to watch for The Woodlands include Sasha Bespaly (MB), Abby Lewis (OH), Payton Stroud (S), Ava Gibbs (Utah State - commit) and Megan Johnson (S).
Keys to success for TWHS in 2024 include having “lots of returners, a fast offense, solid defense and the return of primary passers.”
As far as their motto – “Power in the Small” - be disciplined, the small victories, small joys and small skills all matter in the big picture, according to Wade.