Who’s in the Top 10? Fort Worth-area high school volleyball preseason rankings
The Texas high school volleyball regular season is less than a week away with scrimmages over the weekend. Games start to count on Monday August 9.
Who are the top teams in the Fort Worth-area?
Let’s take a look at the Top 10 teams:
Volleyball Preseason All-Area Team
Class 6A
1. Haslet Eaton (Last season, 18-3)
The Eagles made history last season with a trip to the regional final. They graduated all-area player of the year Kyndal Payne, but return college commits such as outside hitter Paige Mooney (Texas Tech), middle blocker Lindsey Harris and defensive specialist Callie Humphrey.
2. Mansfield (20-3)
The Tigers made it back-to-back district championships and trips to the regional quarterfinals last season, and return one of the best combos in the area in seniors Brynn Williams (Texas Tech commit, district MVP) and Ava Roberts (Dartmouth, co-hitter).
3. Arlington Martin (21-6)
It’s a new era for the Warriors with assistant coach Rhonda Dunn getting promoted. Tracy Perez-Petersen won 499 games in 16 years at the helm and guided Martin to the last four district titles. The Warriors return two of the best at their position in Courtney Hanson (most outstanding setter) and Emily Adams (outstanding blocker).
4. Keller (11-6)
The Indians got off to a slow start last season due to COVID-19, but managed to win nine of 11 games to make the playoffs in a tough district. They will need to replace their top two hitters and defenders, but return all three setters as well as 6-3 junior Leah Ford (newcomer of the year in 2019) and Melanie McGann (West Virginia commit).
5. Southlake Carroll (14-6)
One of the best players to wear the green and white, Natalie Glenn, is now a freshman at Minnesota. But McKenzie Cutler (202 kills) and Gabi Engels return for the Dragons as well as West Virginia commit Jessica Dunn (698 assists, 214 digs), the Star-Telegram all-area preseason setter of the year.
6. Boswell (17-4)
The Pioneers contended for a district championship and will again this season. They return a trio of district award winners in Caitlyn Boyd (co-setter), Stephanie Gutierrez (co-blocker) and Madi Parrish (co-newcomer).
7. Byron Nelson (17-4)
The 2019 state champs graduated the best 1-2 punch in the area in Charitie Luper (UCLA) and Payton Chamberlain (Wyoming), but Samantha Hoppes thrived in her sophomore campaign while Kaitlyn Childree, Katelynn Croshaw, Brynn Bates and Campbell Love also return. Incoming freshman Sydnee Peterson will be a name to remember.
8. Weatherford (23-3)
The Kangaroos will look to win a district title for the fifth straight season after going 14-0 last year. Two-time District MVP Abbie Lane graduated along with setter Logan Loran and her 833 assists (third in the area). The team will rely on junior Kate Hansen (co-offensive, all-area blocker of the year) and senior Keegan O’Connor, the area’s preseason defensive player of the year.
9. Mansfield Lake Ridge (15-6)
The Eagles graduated eight seniors last season, but return their top two hitters in junior Clair Redmon and Makenzie Washington (co-offensive). Redmon led the team in kills and aces, and finished second in digs.
10. Arlington (17-7)
For the second straight season, the Colts won a first-round playoff game. Now they’ll have to replace Chloe Beard, the second-best setter in the area from 2020. However, they do return all-area newcomer of the year Alyson Robbins (211 kills) and all-area defensive specialist Emma Vasquez (405 digs).
Class 5A
1. Grapevine (18-5)
The Mustangs made it further than any other area team last season when they reached the state semifinals for the first time in program history. Leading the way in 2021 will be the Star-Telegram all-area preseason player of the year Missouri commit Janet deMarrais.
2. Colleyville Heritage (16-8)
The Panthers graduated just five players that logged in more than 50 sets last season. A young core returns headlined by top juniors Ella Busey (335 kills, fourth most among area 6A/5A) and Morgan Howard (791 assists, fourth most in the area).
3. Aledo (19-6)
The Ladycats haven’t missed the playoffs in the past 30 years and the streak will continue this season as the team contends for another district title in 4-5A. All-area setter Mattie Gantt (UTEP commit) has options on offense, which include Sam Smith, Vivian Parker, Skylar Ellison, Maddie Frank and Payton Hilmer.
4. Midlothian (22-4)
The Panthers will have to replace district MVP Aryn Walton, but return Hitter MVP Kenna Buchanan (339 kills), Defensive MVP Jenna McMichael (509 digs) and Blocker of the Year Uryah Guevara (95 kills, 47 blocks).
5. Justin Northwest (13-7)
Future Texas Longhorn Makenna Miller returns for her final season. She holds multiple school records with more to come. Aubri Kisner, Hannah Clear, Sophie Chambers, Madison Scrivner also return and Lydia Seymour will be a name to remember.
6. Birdville (12-8)
Iowa State commit Maya Duckworth, the reigning District MVP, looks to surpass 2,000 kills and 2,000 digs in her tremendous high school career. Eight other Hawks are set to return, including all-district players Caroline Kahle, Ashley Munoz and Lyric Steward.
7. Burleson (16-5)
The Elks will need to replace two of the school’s best in Emily Rich and Mia Smalls if they want to secure a fourth consecutive district title. Returning are co-Offensive MVP Belle Davis (320 kills, fifth most in area 6A/5A) and libero of the year Emma Dustin (301 digs).
8. Mansfield Legacy (16-4)
The Broncos finished second in District 8-5A and won a first-round playoff game. Reigning District Defensive MVP Arianna Mongare (Tulsa commit) was one of four juniors on last season’s team.
9. Granbury (16-10)
The Pirates have been playoff bound in 12 straight seasons and will stretch it to 13 with this year’s group that features District 4-5A Blocker of the Year Ellie Alexander (240 kills, 86 blocks). Alexander was tied for third most blocks among 6A/5A players.
10. Burleson Centennial (12-9)
The Spartans finished third in district under first-year Centennial coach Jessica Tyler. Six all-district players return this season led by senior Bailey Laster (526 assists, setter MVP). Returning senior Annie Johnson (second-team all-district) had a team-high-tying 181 kills.
Class 4A/Others
1. Kennedale (24-4)
Back-to-back state semifinals for the Wildcats, looking for a third. They’re led by all-area hitter Maddie Pyles (338 kills, 174 digs, 54 aces, 41 blocks), who’s the favorite to win District MVP. Gracyn Reed (675 assists) is also back as the Wildcats graduated just three players with significant playing time.
2. Peaster (26-6)
The Greyhounds went 14-0 last season to win their first district title since 2017. They also reached the regional quarterfinals. The team had four players who won a district superlative award, two of them return in Hannah Barry (254 kills, co-MVP) and Sadie Ballard (541 assists, setter MVP).
3. Argyle Liberty Christian (31-1)
The Warriors swept opponents 21 times out of 32 games on their way to winning a state championship. All-state performer Madison Morrow (331 kills, 341 digs) returns along with top setter Reagan Fifer (898 assists) and top blocker Jadyn Fife (241 kills, 62 blocks).
4. Midlothian Heritage (19-9)
The Jaguars have won three straight district titles and haven’t dropped a district match since 2017. To continue the trend, they’ll have to replace their top hitter, server and setter. They only graduated three seniors from last year. Sophomore Grace Sweeney was second in kills while the team served up nearly 300 aces.
5. Argyle (22-9)
Frisco Liberty assistant Taryn Hill takes over the Eagles, who look to build off a regional quarterfinal appearance. Gone are their top hitter, server and setter, Ella Payne and Andie Piel, however, Jessie Moore returns (302 kills, 0.301 hitting, 58 blocks).
6. Boyd (19-5)
In the past five seasons, the Yellowjackets have reached the regional quarterfinals five times, regional semifinals four times, regional finals three times and state tournament two times. Reigning District MVP Riley Braziel is back.
7. Grandview (17-7)
The Zebras look to defend their district championship, but they’ll have to do it without one of the top players in the metroplex in Jada Hudson (446 kills, 385 digs). They return their top two setters, top two servers and their No. 2 and No. 3 in digs. Jordan Myers finished with 522 assists.
8. Brock (17-11)
Keith Guyon returns to the Eagles as the next head coach. Guyon led the team to a state title in 2012. During his coaching career, Guyon’s teams have won 13 district titles and gone to state six times. Junior Ellason Felts led all Fort Worth-area players with 101 blocks last season.
9. Benbrook (19-5)
The Bobcats won district for the first time in program history last season and will defend their title in 2021. They graduated seven from last year’s roster, including MVP Danika Washington. 6-4 middle blocker Madison Sorrell returns after being voted first-team all-district.
10. Godley (18-11)
The Wildcats finished second in district behind Midlothian Heritage, but did win a first-round playoff game. Of the 15 players on last year’s roster, only five were seniors, including Skylar Tew and Maddie George. Taylor McFarland and Emma Burke will lead the team to another playoff berth.
This story was originally published August 4, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
