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2020 Manvel Volleyball Preview
Welcome to the 2020 volleyball season. What a weird offseason it was for everyone. No club tournaments to travel to, limited training available but what that means is everyone should be fresh for the 2020 campaign.
VYPE previewed 30 public school teams in this year's VYPE Houston Volleyball Preview. Here is one of the Dark Horses - the Manvel Mavericks.
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Manvel Mavericks
Susan Kennedy enters year five (137-41) leading the Manvel Mavericks. Last year, Manvel (42-7) reached the Regional Finals. This season, the program that is seeking its 8th-straight playoff appearance, returns four starters. Last year's District Offensive MVP returns in Aryn Johnson (McNeese State). Johnson had an impressive 609 kills, 396 digs and 87 aces last year. Also back are first-teamers Hailey Turner (268 kills, 357 digs) and Kristen Spruill (447 digs). Devyn Lewis (135 kills) will be another name to remember after being named District Newcomer of the Year in 2019. Finally, second-team, all-district pick Mya Singleton (145 kills) also returns to the lineup. This team could surprise some people and make another Regional Tournament run.
VYPE U: Q&A with Manvel's Jordon Vaughn
Jordon Vaughn, is the true definition of a student-athlete.
Playing running back alongside Michigan State-commit Donovan Eaglin, at Manvel High School, Jordon has managed to make a name for himself during the season. He went into his junior season with zero offers and finished the year with 556 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns on 96 carries. Not only that,but on the defensive side of the ball he earned 17 solo tackles.
Jordon isn't only a star on the field, but he also shines in the classroom. He is a part of the National Honor Society, has an SAT score of 1250 and an ACT score of a 26. With the hard work and effort he puts into his school work, he has earned scholarships from the six out of the eight Ivy League schools.
Recently I caught up with Jordon to ask him a few questions...
VYPE : Since your junior season ended you picked up over 15 offers, from some great schools but what stands out the most is the Ivy league schools you've received. How is it trying to balance out football and your school work?
VAUGHN: "Well, right now, balancing them both has been pretty moderate. I'm able to go workout in the morning and knock out school work later in the day. Not being in school has provided whole days of freedom, basically, and it has helped me become more organized with my work and help me prioritize my time throughout each day."
VYPE: Overall what do you think separates you from other running backs?
VAUGHN: "What I think separates me from other running backs is my combination of size, speed and strength. I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum at 6-2, 200-plus pounds when it comes to running backs but I have that home run speed to evade linebackers and safeties and able to block efficiently, too. Another aspect of my game is that I am well conditioned. I'm able to last the whole game and can go every play. I am an every-down, all purpose back as I can catch out of the backfield as well. I can do it all."
VYPE: After the loss to Fort Bend Marshall in the fourth round last season, going into your senior season what goals do you have for not only for yourself but for your team as well?
VAUGHN: "The Marshall loss definitely left me with a heavy heart. Going into my last season, the ultimate goal is going back to Cowboy Stadium in December and winning a championship for my school. Some personal goals of mine are to run lower in traffic and be more elusive out in the open field to extend plays and keep the offense going and just being more aggressive in my game as a whole. Some goals for my team is to not only win a ring but to bond as a team. We need to employ that HokaHey mentality and become more disciplined as a team."
VYPE: How are you keeping yourself in shape during these uncertain times?
VAUGHN: "I workout in my garage in the mornings. We have a bench set with plates and dumbbells to use so I will continue to get stronger. To stay in shape I go for long runs outside in my neighborhood. On top of that, I do plyometric training like chair jumps and ladder drills/hill workouts."
VYPE: If you weren't playing football what do you think you would be doing?
VAUGHN: "If I wasn't playing football, I'd run track full-time. It's my second-favorite sport behind football and I used to run AAU summer track in elementary and junior high school."
Going into the 2020, Jordon will be entering his senior season. He'll be a player you'll enjoy watching this upcoming season alongside the rest of the Manvel Mavericks. He is hoping to help the Mavericks earn great success this season as he takes his last ride in the Manvel uniform.