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Dripping Springs Keeps Defying Odds; Reps Austin Area In Volleyball Regional Semifinal
Dripping Springs has been an Austin area volleyball power in recent seasons. So, you might be surprised to hear that it's had to overcome some hurdles to reach the 2020 UIL 5A Region IV semifinal.
First, the Tigers had to replace some of their biggest leaders and playmakers from past seasons to extend their vast volleyball success this fall. That's because they graduated a trio of college-bound players (Tulsa's Avery Kalsu, Louisiana Tech's Mackenzie Murray and Abilene Christian's Sarah Nading) at the end of the 2020 spring semester.
Then, Dripping Springs faced unusual district struggles. Its 90-game win streak against district opponents came to a startling end when it suffered a 3-2 loss against New Braunfels Canyon on Tuesday September 29, 2020. The Tigers were later swept by the New Braunfels Canyon Cougars and Alamo Heights Mules and finished third in the UIL 26-5A district standings with a 12-4 record.
But, there's a reason why Dripping Springs is back at the regional semifinal for the fourth straight season and seventh time in the last eight years. It's bounced back in recent weeks. The Tigers have won seven games in a row, including finally getting a victory against Alamo Heights in Friday's UIL 5A Region IV quarterfinal match. They had lost three straight meetings against the Mules going back to the 2019 UIL 5A Region IV final.
So, what's next for Dripping Springs? It will battle McAllen starting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at Corpus Christi Ray High School in its fourth playoff match of the 2020 season. Expect it to lean on longtime coach Michael Kane and on-court talents Mackenzie Plante, Nicole Herbert, Madi Lund, Ryann Frontera and Morgan Van De Walle in the contest. If the Tigers prevail, they will meet the New Braunfels Canyon/Flour Bluff winner in this weekend's regional final. Fingers crossed for a Dripping Springs/New Braunfels Canyon rematch because we'd take that in an instant.
For more sports coverage, follow Thomas (@Texan8thGen Facebook/Instagram/Twitter) and VYPE (VYPE Texas Facebook, @VYPE_ATX Instagram and @VYPEATX Twitter) on social media.
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.
Volleyball's Back: 2020 All-VYPE Austin Preseason Public School Volleyball Team
You've already seen the 2020 VYPE Austin preseason volleyball rankings and team breakdowns, so it's time to highlight notable returning UIL 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A and 6A talents on the preseason all-VYPE public school teams.
Preseason All-VYPE Public School 6A Team
Katie Hashman (Westlake)
Trista Strasser (Hays)
Jamison Wheeler (Lake Travis)
Margaret Newton (Westlake)
Genevieve Perry (Westlake)
Brooke Sheely (Hays)
Kenzie Beckham (Round Rock Westwood)
Katelyn Krienke (Cedar Park Vista Ridge)
Maggie Walsh (San Marcos)
Maya Johnson (Austin Bowie)
Lauren Murphy (Round Rock)
Kasen Rosenthal (Austin High)
Ireland McCauley (Austin Vandegrift)
Joley Plummer (Round Rock)
DeAndra Pierce (Austin High)
Faith Cox (Round Rock Cedar Ridge)
Kennedi Bray (McNeil)
Geneva Nedrow (Cedar Park Vista Ridge)
Preseason All-VYPE Public School 5A Team
Michera Moffett (Pflugerville Connally)
Photo by Henry Huey for VYPE Media.
Abbi Lemmond (Cedar Park)
Haven Pannell (Cedar Park)
Kayla Lopez (Leander Rouse)
Mackenzie Plante (Dripping Springs)
Madi Lund (Dripping Springs)
Annika Flora (Georgetown)
Kindsee Escamilla (Liberty Hill)
Preslie Boswell (Austin McCallum)
Tiffiney Booe (Austin Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders)
Kaitlin Davis (Cedar Park)
Kayla White (Georgetown East View)
Karys Dove (Pflugerville Hendrickson)
Avery Cole (Cedar Park)
Nicole Herbert (Dripping Springs)
Crystal Creek (Bastrop)
Mikaela Leyva (Lockhart)
Jazmine Mason (Pflugerville Weiss)
Preseason All-VYPE Public School 1A-4A Team
Paige Crawford (Wimberley)
Photo by Henry Huey for VYPE Media.
Brina Jones (Wimberley)
Lanie Doyle (La Grange)
Maggie Ryines (Taylor)
Kiera VanBrocklin (Taylor)
Erica Otto (Schulenburg)
Julie Guentert (Schulenburg)
Shelby Ray (Lexington)
Carsyn Locklin-Bilbrey (Granger)
Hailey Giddens (Florence)
McKenna Cowsert (Johnson City)
Malarie Mican (Weimar)
Kyndal Robinson (Thorndale)
Kate Eilers (Round Top-Carmine)
Brooklyn Jaeger (Fayetteville)
Brooke Schobel (Round Top-Carmine)
For more sports coverage, follow Thomas (@Texan8thGen Facebook/Instagram/Twitter) and VYPE (VYPE Texas Facebook, @VYPE_ATX Instagram and @VYPEATX Twitter) on social media.
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.