Lady Panthers, Mustangs quite different from 2014
Much has changed for both the Colleyville Heritage and Grapevine volleyball programs as the 2015 season begins this week.
Colleyville Heritage welcomes a new head coach (Hollie Huston) and turns over its roster from a core that went to the then-Class 5A (now 6A) state quarterfinals twice in 2012 and 2013. Grapevine also turns over its roster from a team that went to the Class 5A Region I quarterfinals in 2014.
Huston inherits a program that has built itself into a state power. However, expectations aren’t as high this fall. Grapevine’s second-year coach Kori Cooper doesn’t have the rush of trying to get a season together in a matter of days like she did last year when she was hired weeks before the season started. Cooper had a full offseason to evaluate the program from the varsity to the feeder programs at the middle school level.
Transition should not create angst for either program. Colleyville Heritage should be in the playoff mix in District 7-6A. However, the chance to repeat as district champion will be formidable. Carroll is likely the favorite. Grapevine wants to repeat as District 6-5A champions. The Lady Mustangs should be challenged by Lake Dallas and Birdville.
Colleyville Heritage
Coach: Hollie Huston (first season)
2014 record: (36-10, District 7-6A champions; lost to Lewisville Hebron in 6A Region I quarterfinals)
Returning starters/key letter winners: Kat Anthony, Sr. S (5-7); Jordan Lackey, Jr. OH (5-8); Tatum Ticknor, Jr. OH (5-9); Lauren Evans, So. OH; Rachel Goodwin, Sr. libero (5-5)
Notable: Huston isn’t sure which way she will start the season from a setter standpoint. But she was leaning to a 6-2 over a 5-1 … if you have followed this program, the first thing you’re going to notice from previous years is that this group is not as tall. Of course, 6-3 Anna Walsh was one of those once-in-a-program type of players … Huston said she has been pleased with shot placement. That’s because about four players spent the offseason playing club beach volleyball where the demands to be more precise on shots is a must … there are high expectations for what Evans can bring offensively to this team since she stands about 6-0 … where this team is going to have to compensate is in the middle of the net. Walsh had a presence where teams had to go to either side. With this group not as tall, defensive positioning is imperative. “We’re going to have to outsmart teams,” Huston said. That’s where Goodwin could be important. But the pulse of this team will be delivered by Anthony and Ticknor …. CHHS plays in the Pearland tournament this weekend and has a pool with Lumberton, Clear Creek Clear Falls and El Paso Eastlake.
Grapevine
Coach: Kori Cooper (second season)
Record: 33-4 (District 6-5A champions, lost to Granbury in Region I quarterfinals)
Returning starters/key letter winners: Taylor Kress, Sr. OH (5-9); Jordan McCalla, Jr. OH (6-1), Payton Gidney, Sr. OH/RS (5-8); Hannah Merrick, Jr. S (5-4)
Notable: The Lady Mustangs are pretty young. They lost six seniors from last year’s squad … Cooper may go through the early part of the season looking at both the 5-1 and 6-2. She has three setters between Merrick, sophomore Paiton Broussard (5-6) and freshman Anna Johnson (5-10) … one other freshman to watch is 5-10 outside hitter Symone Wesley. Her club team won the national championship in June in New Orleans and played for a high performance squad. She should be one of the offensive options … Kress, McCalla and Gidney should be three of the main leaders of this team … the Lady Mustangs open the Pearland tournament this weekend in a pool that includes San Antonio Reagan, Houston Stratford and Houston Lutheran South. They are also in the Justin Northwest and Plano tournaments …. Kress has verbally committed to West Texas A&M.
This story was originally published August 10, 2015 at 3:30 PM with the headline "Lady Panthers, Mustangs quite different from 2014."