GAMES
RANKINGS
VYPE Austin Softball Scene: 2020 UIL, TAPPS & SPC Teams To Watch
The 2020 Texas high school softball season is here, so you're probably wondering who the UIL, TAPPS and SPC teams to watch are in the Austin area. Check out today's VYPE coverage. To buy other team and individual photos from the 2020 VYPE Austin Preseason Softball Photoshoot, click here.
We start with the UIL 5A and 6A programs that make up the state's large school classifications. Leander Glenn will be a threat to a Georgetown program that advanced to last year's UIL 5A Region III semifinal. The Grizzlies have seven returning starters from their 2019 run to the UIL 5A Region III area round and notable college recruits in Stephen F. Austin bound Emily Berryhill, future Texas Southern player Taysia Tate and University of St. Thomas commit Hailey Arrington.
Another power is Dripping Springs, who recorded a 36-3 record during its 2019 run to the UIL 5A Region IV semifinal. The Tigers only have three returning starters, but future East Central University player Jayna Reid, University of Texas at Dallas commit Mikayla Kanetzky, Ashley Rummel and Brooke Rummel are expected to push the program to another multi-round playoff appearance.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Austin High had a remarkable run to the 2019 UIL 6A Region IV final and its six returning starters will contribute to another successful season in 2020. The Maroons also expect big things from Jayda Lafluer, Natalie Guerrero, Natalie Davis, Lexie Aleman and Karina Serna.
Elgin finished the 2019 season as a UIL 5A Region III area round finalist, but returners Kiana Gibson, Emma Neidig and Morgan Heine plan to achieve more in 2020.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Cedar Park is coming off a UIL 5A Region III bi-district finish in 2019, and the return of Katy Kahlich and Reagan Hillis can produce another playoff run in the 2020 season.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Lake Travis has a motivated group of players and coaches after it missed the 2019 UIL 6A softball postseason. Expect Emma Craver, Paige Connors and Jami Watson to have major roles in returning the Cavaliers to their normal form in 2020.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Along with the teams mentioned above, also keep an eye on Leander, Austin Bowie, Georgetown East View, Pflugerville Weiss, Hays, Round Rock Cedar Ridge, Round Rock and Pflugerville Hendrickson in the UIL 5A and 6A playoff races.
In small school public school action, Thorndale remains a team on everybody's radar. The Lady Dogs lost a heartbreaking extra inning UIL 2A state championship game to fellow Central Texas program Crawford in 2019, so notable players Riley White, Jayci Martinka and Katelyn Casey are motivated to continue their program's tradition in 2020.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Bartlett marched to the UIL 1A Region IV final during the 2019 season and have the necessary players back in Andrea Rivera, Jasmin Fletcher and Jana Nowinsky to make more noise in the 2020 campaign.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Thrall advanced to the UIL 2A bi-district round in 2019 and can surpass that with returning talents Addison Leschber, Jessie Cole and Aubrie Henderson in 2020.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Other small school playoff contenders include Fredericksburg, Giddings, La Grange, Schulenburg, Liberty Hill, Blanco and Salado.
In private school action, Brentwood Christian School will be a threat in TAPPS because of the return of junior Aurora Tyson. Other area competitors include Round Rock Concordia, Hyde Park, Austin St. Dominic Savio Catholic, Hill Country Christian School of Austin, Round Rock Christian Academy, San Marcos Hill Country Christian School, Texas School For The Deaf and Faith Academy of Marble Falls.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
The local SPC race will be a fight to the finish. Austin St. Andrew's Episcopal School will be in the mix for a SPC tournament appearance because of its deep roster, which includes Daniela Youngberg, Ana Castillo, Caroline Martineau, Mia Tobias, Jordan Kappler and Anna Jackson. A rivalry win against Austin St. Stephen's Episcopal School will also go a long way in achieving that goal.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
For more sports coverage, follow Thomas (@Texan8thGen) and VYPE (@VYPEATX) on Twitter.
Looking to get more involved? Check out ShopVYPE for fresh gear that supports local schools and the VYPE U Ambassador Program. To sign up for the VYPE U Program, apply at VYPEU.com.
VYPE San Antonio Boys Soccer Scene: 2020 UIL & TAPPS Teams To Watch
The 2020 Texas high school boys soccer season is here, so you're probably wondering who the UIL and TAPPS teams to watch are in the San Antonio area. Check out today's VYPE coverage. To buy other team and individual photos from the 2020 VYPE San Antonio Preseason Soccer Photoshoot, click here.
We start in the state's highest classification because San Antonio's North East ISD is one of the state's deepest soccer districts. Nationally-ranked San Antonio LEE is highly motivated after its shootout loss in the 2019 UIL 6A state title game. The Volunteers are still the area public school favorite because roster headliners Alberto Mendoza,Francisco Segura andAndrew Erickson are expected to step up when they face 2019 UIL 6A Region IV finalist San Antonio Reagan and 2019 regional quarterfinalist San Antonio Johnson in UIL 27-6A tests.
Kerrville Tivy and San Antonio Southwest led San Antonio area UIL 5A teams with their Region IV semifinal finishes in 2019, but expect a challenge from Alamo Heights in 2020. The Mules earned UIL 27-5A's top playoff seed a season ago and have key players in Vann Morgan Smith and Nicolas Esteva to keep them on track this spring.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
A squad flying under the radar is Harlandale. The Indians were a 2019 UIL 5A bi-district finalist like Alamo Heights and have the necessary leaders in David Tierranegra,Ricardo Padron andAlejandro Silvato surpass that mark in 2020.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
The state's smallest public school classification saw the 2019Canyon Lake Hawks represent the San Antonio area in theUIL 4A state semifinal, but other programs will be gunning for that spot in 2020. The Gonzales Apaches are ready to strike because they marched to the 2019 UIL 4A Region IV semifinal and have notable players in Luis Hernandez,Jose Daniel Cruz and Antonio Hernandez in 2020. Another experienced playoff squad is La Vernia, who made a run to last year's regional quarterfinal.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
In TAPPS Division I action, keep an eye on defending state champSan Antonio Central Catholic. The Buttons have the necessary field general in senior Christopher Rios-Cruzto have more success in 2020.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
San Antonio TMI Episcopal won the 2019 TAPPS Division II state championship and can add another one in 2020. Expect the Panthers to lean on their deep roster, which includes notable threesomeDiego Ampudia, Joseph Kuri andPatricio Parra Ramon.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
In the same classification and district, don't overlookNoah Platzer and San Antonio Christian School. The senior has the necessary credentials to add to his school's great athletic tradition in 2020.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
For more sports coverage, follow Thomas (@Texan8thGen) and VYPE (@VYPESATX) on Twitter.
Looking to get more involved? Check out ShopVYPE for fresh gear that supports local schools and the VYPE U Ambassador Program. To sign up for the VYPE U Program, apply at VYPEU.com.