GAMES
RANKINGS
2019 VYPE Austin Public School Volleyball Dark Horses
You've already seen the VYPE Austin preseason public school volleyball rankings, so it's time to learn about the dark horses. Check out the team breakdowns below, and look for more preseason coverage in the coming days!
Thrall Tigerettes (Reached 2018 UIL 2A Region IV Quarterfinal)
Thrall won 24 games en route to a 2018 UIL 2A Region IV Quarterfinal finish, and is aiming for another multi-round playoff appearance in 2019. The Tigerettes will lean on a deep senior class that includes Riley Krenek, a versatile leader who predominantly serves as an outside hitter. The other Class of 2020 prospects include Kailey Hoffman, McKenna Knapek, Chandra Reed, Angelyna Leschber and Kelly Copeland.
Little River Academy Lady Bees (Reached 2018 UIL 3A Region III Quarterfinal)
Little River Academy played in the 2018 UIL 3A Region III Quarterfinal, and plans to record another multi-round playoff appearance in 2019. The Lady Bees have all-state outside hitter Aubrey Fossett, who's a senior like defensive specialist/libero Kinley Yepma, middle hitter Aubrey Cosper, opposite hitter Savannah Vansa and setter Paysee Crow.
Georgetown Gateway College Preparatory School Gators (Reached 2018 UIL 3A Area Round)
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Georgetown Gateway College Preparatory School is coming off a 2018 trip to the UIL 3A area round, and plans to use its experienced group of returning players to clinch another playoff berth in 2019. The Gators are led by middle blocker Hannah Miller, who's a senior like Addison LeCates, Kailyn Blanton, Kaitlyn Webb, Nive Abraham, Ryleigh Wilcox and Julia Vandagriff.
Fredericksburg Battlin' Billies (Reached 2018 UIL 4A Area Round)
Fredericksburg has advanced to 12 consecutive UIL postseasons, and has the necessary returning talent to extend that streak in 2019. The Battlin' Billies are led by right side hitter Megan Jinright and outside hitter Avery Stevens because they're both Hendrix College commits. Setter Jacie Spies and libero Karlie Nebgen also provide important depth to the team's roster.
Rogers Eagles (Reached 2018 UIL 3A Area Round)
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Rogers played in two UIL 3A playoff games in 2018, so it knows what the expectation is for the 2019 season. The Eagles have a top tier talent in Sabrina Tuerck, who's back as a middle hitter. They will also be in good shape this year because she's a member of a strong senior class that includes Meghan Malcik, Itati Arzola, Ashley Carpenter and Shelby Bruggman.
Weimar Wildcats (Reached 2018 UIL 2A Area Round)
Weimar has advanced to 20 consecutive UIL postseasons, so everyone knows what the end goal is for the 2019 season. Coach Amanda Machicek scheduled a tough slate of games to prepare the Wildcats for another run, so the leadership of setter/left side hitter Malarie Mican, middle blockers Kennedy Kohen and Tori Janak, and left side hitter Skylar Hegar, plus consistent play from the entire roster, will drive the team to another successful campaign.
Round Top-Carmine Cubettes (Reached 2018 UIL 1A Region IV Semifinal)
Round Top-Carmine marched to the UIL 1A Region IV Semifinal in 2018, so it has high expectations for the 2019 season. The Cubettes will be led by all-state senior Megan Krause, but also need additional players to step up to match last year's success.
Rockdale Lady Tigers (Missed 2018 UIL 3A postseason)
Rockdale may have missed the 2018 UIL 3A postseason in 2018, but is on the area's radar going into the 2019 season. That's because the Lady Tigers have an all-state talent in Reese Weise. The setter's back for her senior year, so she also has the necessary leadership qualities and experience to lead her team to the playoffs.
Burnet Lady Dawgs (Reached 2018 UIL 4A Bi-District Round)
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Burnet heated up late in district play and finished as a UIL 4A bi-district finalist in 2018, so it's a team to watch in 2019. Expect the Lady Dawgs to inch closer to a playoff win because they have notable returning players in senior libero Inez Rayas and junior outside hitter Karissa Killebrew.
Elgin Lady Cats (Missed 2018 UIL 5A postseason)
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Elgin missed the UIL 5A postseason in 2018, but plans on moving closer in 2019. Expect upperclassmen Marti Roper and Morgan Heine to use their experience and talent to put the Lady Cats on a winning track this season. Roper is a senior right side hitter and Heine is a junior middle blocker.
For more sports coverage, follow Thomas (@Texan8thGen) and VYPE (@VYPEATX) on Twitter.
Looking to get more involved? Check out ShopVYPE for fresh gear that supports local schools and the VYPE U Ambassador Program. To sign up for the VYPE U Program, apply at VYPEU.com.
Year In Review: VYPE Austin's Top 10 2018-2019 UIL Girls Athletes
The 2018-2019 athletic calendar has concluded, so VYPE Austin will have a series dedicated to notable performers and moments over the past year. Check out the area's top 10 UIL girls athletes.
No. 1: Avery Kalsu
The Dripping Springs junior and 2020 Tulsa commit recorded 260 kills, 56 aces, 23 solo blocks, 480 digs and 859 assists in leading her team to the 2018 UIL 5A state semifinal during a first-team all-state volleyball season.
No. 2: Danielle Serna
The Austin High senior and Colorado State signee finished her 2019 first-team all-state softball season with 514 strikeouts, a 29-6 pitching record, a .388 batting average, 31 runs, 21 RBIs and a trip to the UIL 6A Region IV final.
No. 3: Grayson Schirpik
The Leander Rouse junior, 2020 TCU commit and first-team all-state volleyballer's 450 kills, 60 aces, 28 blocks, 700 digs and four assists pushed her team to the 2018 UIL 5A Region III semifinal.
No. 4: Bailey Goggans
The Marble Falls sophomore won UIL 5A track state championships in the 400 meter dash and the 800 meter run in 2019.
No. 5: Mikayla Woods
The Pflugerville Hendrickson senior and UTSA signee averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 5.1 steals and 0.5 blocks in leading her team to the UIL 6A Region II semifinal during a 2018-2019 first-team all-state basketball season.
No. 6: Ella Collins
The Austin Anderson senior and Virginia signee earned a pair of medals (100 yard freestyle gold and 200 yard freestyle silver) at the 2019 UIL 6A state swim meet.
No. 7: Ana Herceg
The Pflugerville Weiss sophomore earned gold (200 yard freestyle) and silver (500 yard freestyle) medals at the 2019 UIL 5A state swim meet.
No. 8: Jenna Brazeal
The Academy senior and Tarleton State signee won UIL 3A state championships in cross country and track (1600 meter run) during the 2018-2019 school year.
No. 9: Michaela Francois
The sophomore became the first Pflugerville Weiss athlete to win a UIL track state championship (100 meter dash) in 2019.
No. 10: Megha Dania
The Lake Travis junior won the 2019 UIL 6A tennis singles state title and helped her school's team tennis program record a UIL 6A state semifinal finish in 2018.
For more sports coverage, follow Thomas (@Texan8thGen) and VYPE (@VYPEATX) on Twitter.
Looking to get more involved? Check out ShopVYPE for fresh gear that supports local schools and the VYPE U Ambassador Program. To sign up for the VYPE U Program, apply at VYPEU.com.