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Brazoswood's Peyton Tanner
THE PLAYMAKERS: Starting off hot powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Month, as the Winter season wraps up, and we transition to the Spring.
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Emma Merritt, Pearland Girls Soccer
Photo acquired via Twitter (@emmammerritt)
The Lady Oilers have surged on the pitch this Winter, as they re-claimed the District 23-6A title to cap off an exceptional regular season.
Their 16-3-3 (11-1 in district) record places Pearland firmly within the top-10 of our rankings as teams state-wide prepare for the upcoming UIL playoffs.
Coach Elise Cox's club is emboldened by a high-powered offense, led by senior Emma Merritt. As the center forward for the Oilers, Merritt is naturally one of the team's top scorers.
She possesses a keen eye for positioning off the ball, quick reactions during the attack, and a particular skill in finishing that will be essential for Pearland, as they look to make a deep run in the postseason.
It all begins when they kick off against Clear Falls this upcoming Tuesday.
Blake Encarnacion, Friendswood Baseball
Doug Brown (VYPE)
The first half of the baseball season has seen Friendswood pick up right where they left off in 2023.
With their current record of 17-3-1 (2-2 in district), the Mustangs seem poised for another potential district title.
While there are a number of stellar bats in coach Robert Benavides' lineup, his ace on the mound -- senior Blake Encarnacion -- has been a true difference-maker in the tight matchups they face.
The Nebraska-signee has been throwing in the low-90's, along with a number of pitches in his arsenal, which means there's no surprise that he has had a knack for racking up strikeouts.
While they are coming off a close losses against district opponent Santa Fe, Friendswood will still likely have the opportunity to rally in their remaining district schedule.
Peyton Tanner, Brazoswood Softball
Justin Hartojo (VYPE)
Brazoswood is off to yet another hot start to the Spring, having gone 18-7 thus far, which includes a 5-0 beginning to their district campaign.
That shouldn't come as a shock, considering the majority of last year's roster that finished as Area Finalists has returned to the fold.
The key piece, of which, Tennessee-signee Peyton Tanner, is looking every bit as dynamic as she was when earned District 24-6A honors in 2023.
As the Lady Bucs continue with the district portion of their schedule and seek their 20th-consecutive playoff appearance, it is almost a guarantee that Tanner will have a major role.
Alex Escobar, Dobie Soccer
Photo acquired via Twitter (@DobieBoysSoccer)
What a milestone-year it has been for the Dobie Soccer program.
Currently touting a record of 17-2-2 (11-1 in district), the Longhorns capped off the regular season by clinching the team's tenth-straight District 22-6A championship.
Here's another crazy stat for you -- over the span of that time, Dobie's overall record is 112-7-16 (W-L-T).
Suffice it to say, coach Justo Manrique and company are well within the conversation of being one of the best teams in Houston.
Therefore, it should go without saying that one of the leading scorers for the Longhorns -- senior forward Alex Escobar -- is a player to keep on notice.
As a captain for the squad, it will be up to him to provide the necessary experience with the playoffs on the horizon.
Katiana Maldonado, Lutheran South Academy Softball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
As expected, Lutheran South (12-1; 2-0 in district) has been a force to be reckoned with the open the Spring.
Under the direction of head coach Nicole Andrade, the Pioneers have displayed a number of exceptional performances by stars such as Addison Smith, Bri Collazo, and Lauren Brown.
However, it will be up to the veteran leadership -- particularly that of senior Kat Maldonado -- to propel LSA beyond last year's mark of reaching the TAPPS-II Regional round.
Following a 2023 second-team, all-state nod, Maldonado hasn't skipped a beat, and will be vital in the remainder of their district schedule and likely playoff berth.
2022-23 Brazoswood High School Softball
THE WIND UP: VYPE Softball Rankings, No. 13 Brazoswood Lady Bucs
Coach Laura Oltman is a legend in the coaching ranks and as she enters this year with 682 career wins, she is on pace to join the exclusive 700-win club as a head coach. More than 540 of those have come at Brazoswood.
This is a program that has made back-to-back regional Quarterfinals appearances and looks to make its first trip to the Regional Semifinals since 2016 this season.
Six starters return of the 33-win squad from a year ago headed up by Tennessee-commit Peyton Tanner, who will be in the circle and hit .294 a year ago. Haley Hughes (Blinn) crushed the ball a year ago, hitting .538 with 23 RBIs, and was a first-team, all-district pick.
Other names to take note of include Cici Jefferson (UTEP), Kaylin Jansky (LeTourneau), Ali Rios, Mia Estrello, Siannah Nava, and Gyzelle Ortiz.
Keys to success for the Lady Bucs this season - “We will need to stay healthy and find new ways to move runners and score,” Oltman said.
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Peyton Tanner
