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PLAY BALL: VYPE Preseason Top 5 Private School Softball Teams; Others to Watch
The Prospectus
Episcopal has ran the show in SPC for a long time when it comes to softball. Last season, the Knights brought home yet another SPC crown - the 20th in program history. FBCA finished as State Runner-Ups in 2022 in TAPPS Division II, while Cypress Christian reached the TAPPS Final Four in TAPPS Division III.
Here is a preview of the top teams in the private school landscape in 2023.
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Preseason Top 5
No. 1 Episcopal Knights
No. 2 Fort Bend Christian Academy Eagles
No. 3 St. John’s Mavericks
No. 4 St. Pius X Panthers
No. 5 Lutheran South Academy Pioneers
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Others To Watch
St. Agnes Academy Tigers - The Tigers will be looking towards pitcher Avery Jung, second baseman Kate Sullo, outfielder Julia Sullo and shortstop Mia Valenzuela to get the Tigers into the big dance and reach at least the TAPPS Division I Final Four.
Cypress Christian Warriors - Cypress Christian reached the TAPPS Final Four in Division III a year ago after going 20-3-2 overall, according to MaxPreps. The Warriors are set to return some big bats to the lineup including Lucy Davis (.578, 15 2B, 30 RBIs) and Chloe Robinson (.532, 24 RBIs). Davis was also the ace in the circle for Cypress Christian with 62 strikeouts in 50 ⅔ innings. Can Cypress Christian make the run back to the Final Four again? They have the senior leadership to do it.
Second Baptist School Eagles - It wasn’t that long ago that SBS was hoisting the TAPPS Division II State Championship trophy. In fact, it was just back in 2021 that they did just that. Now, the Eagles are going to try and add another piece of hardware to the case and a ring to their finger and this senior class will be key. Led by Ella Ryan, Kate Marshall and Emily Rogers (Colorado School of Mines), this trio of seniors will be the cornerstones to the Eagles’ success in 2023. Mackenzie Schmidt will be the ace in the circle for SBS as the Eagles look to take back their title this season.
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St. Agnes Academy’s Piper Stephenson, NiMya Maruska and Ariel Francis
The Contenders: St. Agnes Academy Tigers
TAPPS 6A State Champions two of the last three years, St. Agnes Academy will be rebuilding in the coach’s office after Cydryce McMillian left for Episcopal in February.
Nicole Blakeman has been brought in to replace her and enters 2022 with 723 career wins. The Tigers will also be reloading on the court after a senior-laden team departed.
Though St. Agnes graduated some premier talent in all-stater Sophie Agee and all-district standouts Grace Webber and Alexis Visintine, the Tigers return first-team, all- state pick Piper Stephenson (319 kills, 46 blocks). Stephenson is committed to the University of Washington to play sand volleyball.
Also keep an eye on senior setter Ariel Francis (502 assists, 202 digs, 32 aces), senior outside hitter NiMya Maruska (207 kills, 53 blocks), who was honorable mention all-state, to make an impact in the attack. In the middle, Rowan Haecker (47 blocks) and Grace Morton (58 blocks) will be the defensive stoppers.
St. Agnes Academy has enough talent in the cupboard to make a run to the State Tournament for a fourth straight season.