GAMES
RANKINGS
UIL STATE SEMIFINALS: Keller vs. Fort Bend Ridge Point Volleyball
The UIL State Championship matches are almost here, but before the stage is completely set, there is still some business to be handled in the semifinals. Keller makes debut in the State Tournament and the Indians are more than ready to take on Fort Bend Ridge Point in a match nobody is going to want to miss!
To continue reading this UIL preview, become a VYPE Insider today!
Keller Indians (31-12, 12-0)
With an outstanding season that not many saw coming, the Indians finished at the top of their district after an undefeated district run (12-0). Dropping only 12 matches all season, Keller posted a 72% win percentage and lost only one set en route to the state tournament.
Keller has had incredible athletes on the court this season. Leading the team in kills is West Virginia signee Melanie McGann. McGann has tallied 588 kills on the season and will look to continue her dominance on the court against Ridge Point. Sophomore Reagan Sharp is second in kills with 350 kills. Sharp has also tallied seven aces, 15 total blocks, and 102 digs.
Fort Bend Ridge Point Panthers (38-10, 14-0)
Ridge Point has posted an incredible season as well. Undefeated in district play, the Panthers have dropped only 33 sets all season. Making their third tournament appearance, the Panthers want to make it to state and then harness a title. Their last appearance in the tournament ended in a less-than-favorable fashion for the Panthers in 2019 where they didn't escape the semifinals. The year before, they were state runner-ups.
Ridge Point hosts six athletes who have signed or committed to play at the next level, so it's clear that they have the slight edge over Keller in this semifinal matchup. LSU signee Alexis Roberson is one of the toughest players Keller will face all season. Roberson has tallied 303 kills and 137 blocks (118 solo). Teammate and Colorado pledge Sydney Jordan leads the team with 367 kills and has tallied 465 digs.
What to Expect:
On paper there is a clear favorite, but that doesn't necessarily mean that Ridge Point will make it happen and find themselves in the state championship match. Although they have a strong attacking force, Keller has been one of the most unstoppable teams in the DFW area all season. If they go down, they aren't going to go down easily or quietly. Fans can expect a strong match out of both teams with maybe a couple of surprises!
The Next Big Thing: Ridge Point’s Harvey could be Houston’s next bigtime OL prospect
HOUSTON – Walking through the halls of Ridge Point High School you cannot miss Calvin Harvey.
The 6-foot-8, 328-pound offensive lineman for the Panthers has always been the biggest kid in class his entire life. When you are young that can be challenging.
"When I was younger I didn't want to be the tallest kid, because I thought it was weird or I didn't fit in with everybody," Harvey said. "I couldn't wear all the things my friends wore, so I didn't really like it."
But when you play football in high school – it's a complete advantage and college coaches take notice.
Harvey just finished his junior season at Ridge Point, where he earned unanimous first-team, all-district honors, and is getting noticed with recent offers from SMU and the University of Houston. And more should be coming.
"I believed that if I put in as much hard work in as I was told to put in that they would come," Harvey said. "I do have something that you can't teach, which is 6-foot-8, so I knew that my pure size would attract a lot of recruiters. I didn't know if I would get big Division I schools after my second year of playing."
After a great conversation with @CoachRickerOL I am proud to announce that I have received my first Division 1 offer from SMU!! #GoMustangs @Coach_SG @CoachKScholz @RPHS_FB @Perroni247 pic.twitter.com/7ScDhpp0oj
— Calvin Harvey (@CalvinHarvey76) February 10, 2021
Getting that first offer call was a special one.
After getting off the phone with Coach AJ Ricker at SMU, who did Harvey tell first? – his grandmother.
"My grandma always tells me, get your education," he said. "Your brain can take you farther than your body can. I've been preached to and talked to for several hours about that I'm a student-athlete. Being a student comes first.
"I told my grandma; she came to tears and told me just to keep my head on straight and focus on the task at hand."
What is crazy about all of this is that Harvey never played middle school or even freshman football. He really didn't even play much little league football growing up either.
Harvey played for Fort Bend GridIron Football when he was about nine-years-old and played for Ridge Point White for his dad who was the coach. Harvey, of course, one of the biggest kids on the field, played middle linebacker, outside linebacker, and right tackle.
Football did not stick though as a young Calvin Harvey didn't like contact and went the basketball route.
Well, that has changed.
Turning on his HUDL highlight, it's a show of unrelenting force over and over. Opposing defensive linemen being tossed a few years away or being shoved straight to the ground.
"My power comes from legs to drive and having a no prisoners attitude," "I want my opponent in front of me to know that I am there and that they can't escape me for the whole entire game. I want them to know it's going to be a long night.
"You put someone in front of me, you're going to need backup."
One person that got a front-row seat to the Harvey show each week was first-year Ridge Point coach Rick LaFavers, who sees the pure raw talent that the junior lineman possesses.
"He has great measurables, can bend and run with great length and punch," he said. "Great energy, work ethic, and leadership! He is just scratching the surface with his abilities as he continues to learn and grow. He is a tremendous player and more importantly a tremendous young man and an absolute joy to coach and be around!"
So, now being the biggest kid in his class - including having a between a 6-foot-5 and 7-foot wingspan and wearing a size 17 shoe - is something Harvey embraces. He actually loves it.
"It's a blessing," he said. "Coaches come and talk to me. I'm the biggest guy on the field. I'm a dominant player with my size, so the sky is the limit.
"Yeah, I've always been the biggest kid around a lot of people, and quite frankly, now I embrace it. I love being 6-foot-8, 328-pounds."