GAMES
RANKINGS
The featured standouts of the 2026-27 Clear Springs Chargers volleyball team.
POWER GRID: VYPE Houston Volleyball Rankings | Cy Ranch Rises, Clear Springs and Lake Creek Hold Firm
Memorial remains firmly in pursuit of another dominant finish, having suffered just one loss since August — against Cypress Ranch — while closing in on back-to-back district championships.
Clear Springs, meanwhile, continues to look like one of the state’s most cohesive and formidable teams. Despite a recent five-set loss to Deer Park, the Chargers are well-positioned to claim their fifth consecutive district title.
Dawson has also made its move, breaking into the Top 10 as its winning streak reaches 16 games. The Eagles are now three victories away from another undefeated district campaign.
Elsewhere, Summer Creek makes its debut in the rankings after edging Atascocita in five sets at the end of September. The two will have another chance to settle the score in a must-see regular-season finale on October 23 that could decide the 17-6A race.
The 5A picture is just as compelling. Lake Creek continues to look like the class of the classification after splitting series with A&M Consolidated and College Station. The Lions’ toughest remaining test appears to be Montgomery, which they defeated in September, while undefeated Friendswood and Kempner are strengthening their cases as legitimate postseason threats.
Sade Bello — Cypress Ranch
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
*** The second section shows the team’s current record (per MaxPreps as of 10/11/2026)
VYPE Houston 6A Top 20 Volleyball Rankings
Mid-October 2026
1. Cypress Ranch Mustangs — 30-7 | 10-0 in District 23-6A
2. Memorial Mustangs — 33-3 | 12-0 in District 20-6A
3. Clear Springs Chargers — 30-9 | 9-1 in District 18-6A
4. Seven Lakes Spartans — 26-10 | 12-0 in District 22-6A
5. Tompkins Falcons — 25-6 | 11-1 in District 22-6A
6. Klein Oak Panthers — 38-5 | 10-2 in District 15-6A
7. Grand Oaks Grizzlies — 28-11 | 10-0 in District 13-6A
8. Tomball Cougars — 26-7 | 9-3 in District 15-6A
9. Fulshear Chargers — 23-12 | 6-3 in District 23-6A
10. Dawson Eagles — 28-11 | 13-0 in District 19-6A
11. College Park Cavaliers — 24-10 | 8-2 in District 13-6A
12. Tomball Memorial Wildcats — 24-13 | 9-3 in District 15-6A
13. Bridgeland Bears — 20-12 | 7-3 in District 23-6A
14. Atascocita Eagles — 21-6 | 9-1 in District 17-6A
15. Pearland Oilers — 24-13 | 10-2 in District 19-6A
16. Stratford Spartans — 26-13 | 10-2 in District 20-6A
17. Dickinson Gators — 26-9 | 8-2 in District 18-6A
18. Summer Creek Bulldogs — 25-10 | 10-0 in District 17-6A
19. Fort Bend Austin Bulldogs — 28-10 | 9-1 in District 21-6A
20. Shadow Creek Sharks — 23-13 | 9-3 in District 19-6A
Others to Watch: Katy Tigers (22-6A), Barbers Hill Eagles (18-6A), Jordan Warriors (22-6A), Langham Creek Lobos (16-6A), Ridge Point Panthers (21-6A), The Woodlands Highlanders (13-6A), Cy-Fair Bobcats (16-6A), Clear Lake Falcons (18-6A), Cypress Woods Wildcats (16-6A), Deer Park Deer (18-6A), Oak Ridge War Eagles (13-6A), Magnolia Bulldogs (15-6A), Foster Falcons (23-6A), Manvel Mavericks (19-6A)
VYPE Houston 5A/4A Top 10 Volleyball Rankings
Mid-October 2026
1. Lake Creek Lions (5A) — 33-10 | 8-2 in District 17-5A
2. Friendswood Mustangs (5A) — 29-6 | 12-0 in District 20-5A
3. Montgomery Bears (5A) — 34-8 | 8-2 in District 17-5A
4. Kempner Cougars (5A) — 31-2 | 13-0 in District 22-5A
5. West Fork Gators (5A) — 30-9 | 9-0 in District 18-5A
6. Galveston Ball Tornadoes (5A) — 30-8 | 11-2 in District 20-5A
7. Bellville Brahmas (4A) — 29-11 | 9-0 in District 23-4A
8. Iowa Colony Pioneers (5A) — 27-10 | 9-3 in District 20-5A
9. Huffman Hargrave Falcons (4A) — 26-10 | 5-2 in District 19-4A
10. Needville Bluejays (4A) — 27-11 | 8-0 in District 22-4A
Others to Watch: Livingston Lions (19-4A), Liberty Panthers (19-4A), Lamar Consolidated Mustangs (22-5A), La Porte Bulldogs (20-5A), Dayton Broncos (19-5A), Angleton Wildcats (20-5A), Kingwood Park Panthers (18-5A)
VYPE Houston Private School Top 5 Volleyball Rankings
Mid-October 2026
2. The John Cooper School Dragons — 21-5 | 2-2 in SPC 4A
3. Cypress Christian Warriors — 27-5 | 7-0 in TAPPS District 5-5A
4. Lutheran South Academy Pioneers — 23-11 | 8-1 in TAPPS District 4-6A
5. Fort Bend Christian Academy Eagles — 18-7-1 | 7-1 in TAPPS District 5-5A
Others to Watch: The Awty International School Rams, Second Baptist Eagles, St. John XXIII Lions, Concordia Lutheran Crusaders, St. John's School Mavericks, Providence Classical Paladins, Houston Christian Mustangs
Kempner's Olivia Algard
FROM SWEDEN TO SUGAR LAND: Algard Finds Her Place Through Volleyball
"I speak Swedish at the house," Algard said. "I always talk about it with my friends. It's a very beautiful place. I have so much family there."
Algard still returns to Sweden for vacations, making sure the connection to her birthplace remains strong even as Texas has become home.
Her journey to Texas came with a major adjustment. When Algard first arrived in the United States, she didn't know a single word of English.
"I was in kindergarten crying all day because I couldn't understand anything," she said.
But it didn't take long for the young Algard to find her voice. She picked up the language quickly, and before long, she was finding another way to communicate—through volleyball.
Matt Powell (VYPE)
That passion began in third grade when she joined a church league. From there, the game continued to grow into something much bigger. She eventually joined a club program, and volleyball became a central part of her life.
Today, Algard can't imagine her life without it.
"The connections you make with people and the memories you make," she said. "That's what I love about it."
And she's not limiting herself to just one version of the sport. Outside of indoor volleyball, Algard plays beach volleyball, an experience she believes has helped expand her game and make her a more complete player. She's hoping to continue playing beach volleyball at the collegiate level.
"It's a whole different game than indoor," Algard said. "It opens my range of volleyball. In the sand, you have to play every position, which makes you a very versatile player on the court."
That versatility is important for an outside hitter, but Algard's biggest growth may come from learning how to manage the expectations she places on herself.
"I try my best, but I'm very hard on myself," she said. “It’s something that I need to get better at. It’s impossible to be perfect, but that is just how I’m programmed.”
Being the oldest of three children has also helped shape her approach. Algard understands that her younger siblings are watching her, and she takes that responsibility seriously.
"I'm the oldest of three," she said. "I show them the way. I try to be a good example for them to follow whether it be in sports or just in everyday life."
That leadership doesn't necessarily have to come from being the loudest person in the room. Sometimes it comes from setting an example, working hard and showing up every day.
And when Algard needs inspiration, she doesn't have to look far. Her grandmother holds that special place in her life.
"My grandma is my biggest inspiration," Algard said. "I love her a lot. I’m her favorite and we just have a really special bond. She lives in Sweden so I don’t see her much, but our connection is strong."
Away from the court, Algard is a fan of romance movies and shows, with rom-coms among her favorites. She also listens to Lana Del Rey, giving her plenty of ways to unwind when volleyball takes a back seat.
But ultimately, volleyball remains her passion.
From a little girl in Sweden who arrived in America unable to speak English to a confident outside hitter dreaming of playing beach volleyball in college, Algard's story is one of finding her place.
She found it on the court. And she plans to keep going.