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Kingwood's Mia Gagliardi
AWARD SZN: 2024 All-VYPE Softball Teams powered by Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Additionally, programs such as Katy, Lake Creek, Heights, Bridgeland, Brazoswood, Foster, Oak Ridge, and Barbers Hill were among the plethora of Houston-area teams to have extended playoff runs over the past few weeks.
The Episcopal Knights claimed their seventh-consecutive SPC championship to further solidify their dynasty-status, while St. Agnes Academy ultimately took home the TAPPS-D1 title, which marked the first time they've done so since 2019.
Other teams of note within the private school sector include Cypress Christian, Kinkaid, FBCA, Concordia Lutheran, John Cooper, TWCA, Lutheran South Academy, Houston Christian, and St. Pius X.
Given all that information, here are the 2024 All-VYPE Softball Teams presented by Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine.
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ALL-VYPE TEAM PHOTO GALLERY: Ella McDowell -- Foster
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
All-VYPE Public School Softball Teams
FIRST-TEAM
Ella McDowell, Foster
Cameryn Harrison, Katy
Mia Gagliardi, Kingwood
Abby Ptak, Alvin
Hailey Nutter, Barbers Hill
Sydney Jackson, Bridgeland
Baileigh Burtis, Friendswood
Haylie Jaime, Heights
Peyton Tanner, Brazoswood
Ashtyn Reichardt, Katy
Erika Savage, Kingwood Park
Madalyn Davis, Lake Creek
Alisa Sneed, Conroe
Addyson Sheppard, Kingwood
Ariel Redmond, Oak Ridge
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SECOND-TEAM
Raenna Liscano, Pearland
Savannah Carter, Klein Collins
Brooke Kearns, Memorial
Alyson Higginbotham, Lake Creek
Faith Piper, Cinco Ranch
Kennedy Hill, Heights
Ella Kate “EK” Smith, Katy
Leilani Garcia, Kingwood
Ryley Nihart, Manvel
Aubrey Lacour, Klein Oak
Sophie Brammer, Foster
Shylien Brister, Clear Brook
Cara Pitman, Dawson
Chayne Allen, Bridgeland
Matti Matthews, Alvin
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THIRD-TEAM
Emma King, Clear Springs
Charleigh Esparza, Friendswood
Kylie Wilson, Deer Park
Jaylie Miller, Manvel
Courtney Petrosino, Kingwood Park
Chesney Davis, Lake Creek
Lauryn Soeken, Katy
Za’Riya Bell-Morris, Klein Collins
Madysen Taylor, Bridgeland
Ella Boyer, Oak Ridge
Hunter Quentel, Kingwood
Mia Estrello, Brazoswood
Gabriella Castillo, Fulshear
Brookelyn Livanec, Barbers Hill
Trinity Perry, Pearland
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HONORABLE MENTION
Mia Diaz, Cypress Ranch
Rhilynn McCoy, Atascocita
Montgomery Henderson, Katy
Kaelyn Lerma, Katy Taylor
Lily Soliz, Angleton
Erianna Garcia, Clear Springs
Ainsley Pinkerton, Bellaire
Peyton Helmly, Barbers Hill
Cali Chapman, Summer Creek
Reagan McCoy, The Woodlands
Mallory Richardson, Santa Fe
Madison Dillon, Waller
Kelsey Martin, Pearland
Ally Mooneyham, Crosby
Gabriela Brookshire, Langham Creek
Leah Gershman, Tompkins
Aubree Jones, Lamar Consolidated
Abby Garza, Grand Oaks
Kaeden Bell, Spring
Jordan Franklin, Porter
Rylie Marquart, Bridgeland
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All-VYPE Private School Softball Teams
FIRST-TEAM
Mia Valenzuela, St. Agnes Academy
Allie Williams, Episcopal
Kennedy Flenner, St. Pius X
Sarah Olenick, Cypress Christian
Jadyn Granere, Houston Christian
Katiana Maldonado, Lutheran South Academy
Julia Sullo, St. Agnes Academy
Faith Keiper, Concordia Lutheran
Reese Heflin, FBCA
Gianna Lewis, Episcopal
Haley Wainright, Kinkaid
Keira Crosby, TWCA
Lauren Gentry, Incarnate Word Academy
Megan Smith, Cypress Christian
Cameron Patterson, John Cooper School
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SECOND-TEAM
Briana Collazo, Lutheran South Academy
Abigail Odom, St. Pius X
Maddie Pickett, Houston Christian
Kyra Nguyen, St. Agnes Academy
Kailyn Smith, Cypress Christian
Reagan Rohrlich, TWCA
Lindley Bowman, Kinkaid
Morgan Domino, Concordia Lutheran
Hadley Hodge, FBCA
Katherine Sullo, St. Agnes Academy
Hayleigh Hubbard, Episcopal
Alexa Ramirez, St. John XXIII
Katelyn Bienko, Cypress Christian
Addison Smith, Lutheran South Academy
Sydney Kelly, John Cooper School
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HONORABLE MENTION
Reagan Moriarty, Episcopal
Gianna Bales, Bay Area Christian
Lauren Brown, Lutheran South Academy
Faith Puzon, Incarnate Word Academy
Alexis Osterhaus, TWCA
Avery Peakes, St. John’s
Corinne Keim, Cypress Christian
Lauren Gibson, Kinkaid
Jaelynn Lee, FBCA
Sophia Deutschen, St. Agnes Academy
Millie Metz, Houston Christian
Brooke Landry, St. Pius X
Daniela Villareal, John Cooper School
Kennedy Farrell, Bay Area Christian
Penelope Meehan, St. Agnes Academy
Foster's Ella McDowell
PRIME-TIME: Most pivotal clashes in Softball Regional Quarterfinals
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Pearland Oilers vs. Brazoswood Buccaneers
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
It's been another prodigious season for Pearland this Spring, as the Oilers (34-4) claimed their third-straight District 23-6A championship, before subsequently defeating Dickinson (Game 1: 10-0, Game 2: 18-1) and Atascocita (Game 1: 5-2, Game 2: 6-8, Game 3: 11-1) through the first two rounds of the playoffs.
The runs have been in ample supply for the team's relentless offense, as they've accumulated well over 300 on the year, thus far, and that's not likely to change for coach Michele Hyden and company.
Raenna Liscano (ULL-signee), Kaylee Schweitzer (LSU), and Trinity Perry (TWU) have been the pillars for Pearland, with Laila Nobles, Emrie Ashcraft, Julia St. John, and Carly Carpenter in support.
While their aforementioned hitting is their strong-suit, the Oilers will need to bunker down in Round No. 3, primarily due to the fact that Brazoswood is home to one of the best pitchers in the state.
The undefeated District 24-6A champions (29-7) are coming off sweeps against Shadow Creek (Game 1: 10-0, Game 2: 4-1) and Summer Creek (Game 1: 2-1, Game 2: 8-0) and have already surpassed their 2023 mark of reaching the Area Round.
Not much more can be said about Tennessee-signee Peyton Tanner. The senior RHP is the spark that ignites coach Laura Oltman's squad and will naturally be instrumental in the Bucs' mission to stifle the reigning state champs.
Other players to watch include Mia Estrello, Jazlynn Soliz, Siannah Nava, Audrey Sierra, and Kimora Quave.
GAME 1: Wednesday (6:30 pm) @ Iowa Colony HS
GAME 2: Thursday (6:30 pm) @ Iowa Colony HS
GAME 3 (If needed): Friday (6:30 pm) @ Iowa Colony HS
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
Kingwood Mustangs vs. Alvin Yellowjackets
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
In her first year with the program, softball legend and head coach Christa Williams-Yates has aided in enhancing an already well-established state power in Kingwood (31-7; 14-0 in district).
The Mustangs, who are currently the No. 8 ranked in Class 6A (MaxPreps), enter the Regional Quarterfinals on the heels of sweeping Rayburn (Game 1: 16-0, Game 2: 10-0) and Clear Springs (Game 1: 12-1, Game 2: 5-0) in dominating fashion.
Addyson Sheppard (Arizona-commit), Leilani Garcia, Ava Jolley, and Mia Gagliardi have enjoyed starring roles for KHS, with the help of Abella Mata, Kendall Yates, and McKenna Holm.
Kingwood bowed out to Pearland in the third round a year ago, but this talented group will look to reset the standard this week.
Similarly, Alvin (30-4; 10-2 in district) is one of the top programs in Texas and look to maintain their hot-streak.
Senior pitcher Matti Matthews (North Texas-signee) has been a force on the mound, while the likes of Kiley Huffman (Texas Tech), Abby Ptak (Boston College), and Jocelyn Briseno (Houston Christian) are efficient on both sides of the ball.
Coach Kelly Bembry and the Yellowjackets reach the third round of the postseason for the first time since 2019, and they don't plan on stopping now.
GAME 1: Thursday (6:30 pm) @ Kingwood HS
GAME 2: Friday (6:30 pm) @ Alvin HS
GAME 3 (If needed): Saturday (6:30 pm) @ La Porte HS
Doug Brown (VYPE)
Foster Falcons vs. Friendswood Mustangs
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
The Falcons return to the Regional Quarters following definitive wins over Austin (21-0) and Manvel (Game 1: 5-0, Game 2: 2--4, Game 3: 14-2), bringing their composite record to 31-5-1 on the year.
The threat they pose in Class 5A cannot be overstated, as they aim to flip the script of last year's result, when they fell to Santa Fe in Game 3.
Coach Keely McGuire has an arsenal of weapons to turn to, and none have been more prominent than Ella McDowell (Arkansas-signee).
As the No. 3 ranked player in the nation, the three-time District 20-5A MVP is as dynamic as they come, and she continues to elevate Foster to new heights.
McDowell is complemented by the talents of Sophie Brammer, Bailey Lechler, Morgan Gutierrez, and Izzy Jacoby, just to name a few.
Don't count out Friendswood just yet, though.
The Mustangs (22-8; 9-3) finished second in their district, prior to knocking Port Neches-Groves (6-4) and Galena Park (Game 1: 12-1, Game 2: 5-2) out of the playoffs.
In his first year as head coach, Jarrod Hunter has found multiple ways to optimize his lineup, which is headlined by Baileigh Burtis (.450 BA, 21 RBI, 28 R, 1 HR), Charleigh Esparza (.386 BA, 27 RBI, 15 R, 6 HR), Lola Widner (.370 BA, 16 RBI, 21 R), and Chloe Aldrich (.286 BA, 19 RBI, 21 R, 2 HR).
This could likely prove to be one of the more pivotal matchups of the week.
GAME 1: Thursday (6:30 pm) @ Foster HS
GAME 2: Friday (6:30 pm) @ Friendswood HS
GAME 3: Saturday (11:00 am) @ Grand Oaks HS
Doug Brown (VYPE)
Heights Bulldogs vs. Memorial Mustangs
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
This Spring has seen yet another exemplary showing from Heights (25-9), who claimed an undefeated district title, which was followed up by victories over Cypress Creek (7-1) and Katy Taylor (Game 1: 2-0, Game 2: 2-0) through the first two rounds.
Kennedy Hill (.306 BA, 40 RBI, 30 R, 10 HR) and Flora Moreno (.338 BA, 27 RBI, 21 R, 6 HR) have been electric in the batter's box, while Haylie Jaime (.453 BA, 16 RBI, 15 R, 3 HR), Helen Maddux (.432 BA, 22 RBI, 35 R, 5 HR), Laila Robins (.453 BA, 19 RBI, 37 R, 2 HR), and Sara Paniagua (.430 BA, 9 RBI, 23 R) round out one of top lineups in the area.
Consistency will be key for the Bulldogs, with their goal of reaching the Regional Tournament hanging in the balance. Although, that's unlikely to be a problem, given the numbers they've been putting up.
Memorial, on the other hand, has experienced an unprecedented surge of success in 2024, as they currently maintain a record of 31-2.
The Mustangs recently swept both Lamar (Game 1: 6-3, Game 2: 20-5) and Tompkins (Game 1: 7-3, Game 2: 6-0), which breaks the stigma of first-round exits they've had in recent memory.
Brooke Kearns (.535 BA, 44 RBI, 51 R, 8 HR), Sophie Vlasak (.534 BA, 37 RBI, 38 R, 6 HR), and Isabella Borrego (.405 BA, 34 RBI, 26 R, 4 HR) are the catalysts for coach Stephanie Mosley's roster, with junior pitcher Elise Adams (2.15 ERA, 75 K) being her ace on the mound.
GAME 1: Thursday (6:30 pm) @ Delmar Stadium
GAME 2: Friday (5:00 pm) @ Memorial HS
GAME 3 (If needed): Friday (Following Game 2) @ Memorial HS
Photo acquired via Instagram (@memorial_softball_studs)