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The stars of 2023-24 Grand Oaks Volleyball
The 2023 All-VYPE Public School Volleyball Teams presented by Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Similarly, Cinco Ranch and Tomball Memorial advanced to the furthest point in their program history, reaching the Class 6A State Final and Region II Finals, respectively.
Furthermore, another Katy ISD representative, Seven Lakes, displayed shades of their 2020 state title form to finish the year as Region III finalists.
In Class 5A, Barbers Hill also made school history by advancing five rounds deep into the playoffs, where they would ultimately fall to the eventual state finalist and perennial powerhouse Fulshear in the Regional Finals.
It was truly a year to remember for Houston fan-bases, with dozens of teams loaded with some of the top athletes in the state.
With that in mind, it's time to announce the 2023 All-VYPE Public School Volleyball team presented by Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine.
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TEAM OF THE YEAR: Grand Oaks Grizzlies
Shana Willeford (VYPE)
It was already well-known prior the season that Grand Oaks was no joke.
The Grizzlies were shot out of a cannon from the start, and they never looked back, gaining momentum week after week.
Coach Morgan Rogers' group featured easily the most stacked, not to mention deepest rosters in Texas, with the likes of Jaela Auguste, Halle Thompson, Audrey Terry, Samara Coleman, Caelyn Emmerling, and Cali Reece propelling the team to new heights.
Here's a crazy stat for you...
This team gave up a mere nine sets in 51 matches throughout the Fall. That's how good they were.
In just their fifth season as a varsity program, Grand Oaks Volleyball claimed the school's first-ever state championship after defeating Cinco Ranch in the final game of the season, finishing the year with an overall record of 50-1 (16-0 in district).
COACH OF THE YEAR: Morgan Rogers, Grand Oaks
Naturally, the coach of a championship team should get this nod.
Rogers has been with the program since it started up in 2018. As they were entering the State Tournament, Rogers acknowledged that she and her staff recognized the potential of the 2020 freshmen class that stepped onto her court.
Lo and behold, that group would ultimately emerge as state champs just three seasons later, after falling in the Area round each year prior.
The Grand Oaks coach, her staff, and her athletes endured several obstacles and feats of adversity in order to reach this point, and they can now revel in the satisfaction of being the best.
ALL-VYPE TEAM PHOTO GALLERY: Peyton Fadal, Barbers Hill
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
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ALL-VYPE Public School Volleyball Team
Hitter of the Year:Bailey Warren, Fulshear
Middle of the Year:Jaela Auguste, Grand Oaks
Setter of the Year: Kassie O'Brien, Cinco Ranch
Libero/DS of the Year: Anahi Alvarado, Tomball Memorial
Newcomer of the Year: Tinsley Welker, Fort Bend Austin
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First-Team
Hitter: Gabriella Martinez, Cinco Ranch
Hitter: Samara Coleman, Grand Oaks
Middle: Chloe Morgan, Barbers Hill
Setter: Peyton Fadal, Barbers Hill
Libero/DS: Alice Volpe, Bridgeland
Second-Team
Hitter:Ella Lewis, The Woodlands
Hitter: Avery Craig, Tomball Memorial
Middle:Sanaa Donaie, Goose Creek Memorial
Setter: Audrey Terry, Grand Oaks
Libero/DS: Morgan Madison, College Park
Third-Team
Hitter:Nadi’ya Shelby, Friendswood
Hitter: Temi Sam-Olibale, Seven Lakes
Middle: Sarah Odell, Tomball Memorial
Setter: Cayley Hanson, Deer Park
Libero/DS: Sydney Black, Fulshear
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Honorable Mentions
Hitter
Taylor Porter, Cypress Ranch
Caelyn Emmerling, Grand Oaks
Makenna Loo, Cinco Ranch
Lauren Witte, Fulshear
Kennedy Jones, Langham Creek
Dominique Phills, Dawson
Kennedi Rogers, Ridge Point
Ariana Muoneke, Cy-Fair
Anzley Rinard, Clear Springs
Raylee Schaffner, Bridgeland
Avery Koonsen, Pearland
Middle
Sameena Burns, Seven Lakes
Emily Killam, Cinco Ranch
Jordan Taylor, Langham Creek
Adell Murray, Fort Bend Austin
Shea Rainosek, Cinco Ranch
Christin Cowart, Tompkins
Setter
Alexys James, Fulshear
Addison Moss, Dawson
Ashley Richardson, Clear Springs
Kenedy Massie, Manvel
Caroline Adams, Friendswood
Taryn Gilreath, Cypress Ranch
Libero/DS:
Maggie Finnegan, Cinco Ranch
Cali Reece, Grand Oaks
Megan Chapman, Seven Lakes
Morgan Durdens, Clear Springs
Gabrielle Kennedy, Fort Bend Austin
Brooklynn Merrell, Tompkins
Bianca Beverly, Cy-Fair
Erin Goodson, Deer Park
Grand Oaks celebrates their first UIL State Championship in school history
DESTINY FULFILLED: Grand Oaks relishes in historic accomplishment
However, it didn’t come as easily as the Grizzlies (50-1; 16-0) have made it seem all year.
When facing Prosper in the State Semifinals match on Friday, the H-Town representatives fell down two sets to begin the match. Subsequently, Grand Oaks rallied like never before to emerge victorious in their first five-set bout of the Fall.
“I feel like we came into the match on Friday really nervous and that’s why we got knocked down to our heels initially,” said sophomore OH Halle Thompson. “Once we were down two sets, we knew it was go-time. After that, we emphasized locking in and digging deep, and we were able to isolate their stars, while getting into our rhythm which obviously worked out for us.”
Shana Willeford (VYPE)
Head Coach Morgan Rogers concurred with that sentiment.
“I think it just speaks to how unshakable their chemistry and bond are,” said Rogers. “As a team, we’ve worked really hard to form all these connections throughout the season. At that point, that’s what brought us through. That family aspect, and the fact that they’re fearless is really what helped us to push when it mattered most.”
Following their incredible comeback on Friday night, the Grizzlies would go on to sweep fellow Houston powerhouse Cinco Ranch to claim the school’s first-ever state title in its six-year history.
“The only word I have to describe it is ‘surreal’,” said Thompson. “It’s the moment you want to happen but you’re not sure if it ever will. There was a release of emotion, love, and unity, which brought us all together on the court. It’s an unmatched feeling – one of those full-circle moments that I’ll remember forever.”
Shana Willeford (VYPE)
“I stood there for a second with my head in my hands and I just thought ‘wow, this actually happened’ as I took it all in,” Rogers said. “We talk about doing it and having those expectations in that pressure, but when it’s finally there, and doing it the way we did – fighting and clawing back – it was overwhelming. I know that was the way our eleven seniors wanted to go out, so I was just so happy and proud of them.”
Following the epic swirl of emotion, Thompson was named the UIL-6A State Tournament MVP for her remarkable performance throughout the Final Four competition.
Photo provided by Halle Thompson
Despite competing alongside a slew of star upperclassmen – such as Jaela Auguste (Florida-commit), Audrey Terry, Samara Coleman (Pittsburgh-commit), and Ceaelyn Emmerling – the sophomore managed to make her mark on the grand stage.
“I think it all begins with practice, because they have pushed me to be better,” said Thompson. “That’s why I feel so grateful to have had the opportunity to play with great players like them. The way I think I managed to stand out was because they’ve shown me ways to stay composed under pressure, and find ways to lead when we need it.”
Now that several of their key playmakers will be graduating at the end of the school year, it will be up to the remaining figures for coach Rogers’ group to take up the mantle a year from now.
“I’m definitely ready for that responsibility,” Thompson said. “This season has taught me that volleyball is very much a team sport, but there will always be those who have to be a leader in some sort of way. I feel like that’s one of the roles I’ve begun to take on and I’m excited to see where next season takes us.”
However, for right now it is time for Grand Oaks to revel in their accomplishment, as they enjoy a well-earned break before the holiday season.