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STATE SEMIFINALS PREVIEW: Battle-tested Prosper to face Conroe Grand Oaks
Prosper returns to the state tournament after winning the whole thing in 2017 and not making it to this stage since. Ready to show that they are back, victorious as ever, and ready to seal the deal on another successful season, the Lady Eagles have fought valiantly through their season. VYPE DFW takes a look at their road to state and what fans can expect on Friday heading into the semifinal pairing with Conroe Grand Oaks:
Regular Season Play
Led by Ayden Ames, Reese Renfrow, Sydney Thornton, Jayla Jackson, Audrey Hunt, Keely Harrington, Sophie Bridges, Allie Duitsman, Hannah Beauford, and other talented athletes, Prosper has been posting dominant victories from the start of their season when they opened with a 3-0 sweep over Frisco Independence. Posting other non-district victories over tough programs like Arlington Martin (3-0), Grapevine (3-0), Frisco Wakeland (3-1), Weatherford (2-0), Rockwall (2-1), Lucas Lovejoy (2-1-- who is playing in their own state semifinal on Friday), Flower Bluff (2-0), Allen (2-0), and more, the Lady Eagles were able to face and overcome challenges before district play even began.
Posting a 12-2 district record to finish second in their district standings-- just behind a strong McKinney Boyd Lady Broncos team-- Prosper's only two district losses came in matches against the Lady Broncos. Focusing on resiliency and power, Prosper defeated Denton Guyer, Prosper Rock Hill, Denton Braswell, McKinney, and more throughout the rest of their district play.
Playoffs So Far
Amping up their play for the playoffs, Prosper regrouped and was prepared for anything to come their way as they entered the first round against Plano West. Posting a 3-0 victory, the team moved on to an intense battle against Arlington Martin. Dedicated, focused, and determined, the Lady Eagles secured a 3-2 victory over Arlington Martin and continued to advance. Defeating Plano East (3-0), Southlake Carroll (3-0), and Flower Mound (3-0), Prosper punched their ticket to the biggest stage in Texas high school volleyball: the state tournament!
What To Expect
Conroe Grand Oaks (48-1, 16-0) has lost only one game this season while outscoring their opponents 121-7. In fact, out of 48 victories this season, 43 of them were won in sweeps. Incredible athletes like Samara Coleman, Halle Thompson, Jaela Auguste, Caelyn Emmerling, and others make up this squad as they enter the program's first-ever state tournament appearance.
Fans can expect a fast-paced game. Grand Oaks is going to put up the toughest battle that Prosper has seen all season. Prosper will have to remain on their toes and vigilant if they want to pull off a major victory and head back to the state title match. Jam-packed with action, fans aren't going to want to take their eyes off of this UIL Class 6A State Semifinal match! The game is set to begin at 5 p.m. at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas.
STATE SEMIFINALS PREVIEW: Lucas Lovejoy returns to the state tournament
An outstanding 13 appearances in the state tournament and nine victories (one six-victory streak between 2008 and 2014 and one three-peat in 2019-21), the team is making their return to the state tournament in a semifinal showdown against Lamar Fulshear. Having missed the state tournament last season, the team is ready to get back to their regular dominance with hopes of a 10th title for the program. VYPE DFW takes a look at their season so far and what fans can expect on Friday:
Regular Season Play
On a mission to make it back to playoffs and then back to the state tournament, Lucas Lovejoy prepped for a long road. The start to their season was a bit of a roller coaster as they posted victories and losses, highs and lows. Playing against tough teams, the Lady Leopards polished up and became battle-tested throughout the entirety of non-district play. Defeating Denton Guyer (3-1), Glen Rose (2-0), Baldwin (2-0), Boswell (2-0), Southlake Carroll (2-1), Justin Northwest (2-0), and more, Lovejoy entered district play ready to take down any opponent who stood in their way of the playoffs.
Posting an undefeated district record (12-0) and a first-place finish in their district standings, the team went 33-2 in sets against their district opponents. The two sets dropped came in a hard-fought 3-2 victory over McKinney North to close out district play. Led by Gentry Barker, Shelby Burriss, Skylar Jackson, Anna Barr, Sadie Jane Hand, McKenna Brand, and other focused athletes, the team posted district victories over Denison, Sherman, Melissa, Greenville, and more en route to the playoffs.
Playoffs So Far
Without ever looking back, Lovejoy entered the playoffs ready to get the job done. First up, the Lady Leopards took down Lancaster in a 3-0 sweep followed by a 3-1 victory over Whitehouse. The team then faced a tough Forney squad, but came out unscathed in a 3-0 victory before defeating Frisco Wakeland and Frisco Reedy to punch their ticket back to the state tournament.
What To Expect
This appearance will be Lamar Fulshear's third in the state tournament (2019, '20). Two seasons removed, the team is more than ready to showcase tremendous talent on the court with athletes like Bailey Warren, Lauren Witte, Avery Pruitt, Yosola Adeleke, and more. A tough team all around, Fulshear (40-4, 14-0) has allowed only 19 sets to be won against them all season long. This team is going to be Lovejoy's truest test yet... and on the biggest stage in Texas high school volleyball.
Fans can expect impactful plays guiding the way for both Fulshear and Lovejoy on Friday. Two powerhouse programs in the state-- one a recent history, one a long-standing history-- going head-to-head in the state semifinals with a common goal is sure to leave everyone wanting more. Be sure you catch all the action. Game time is set for 1 p.m. at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas.