LH Panther Mom
08-08-2007, 06:57 PM
Round Rock, Vista Ridge, Hutto expected to be county's top squads
By Butch Hart
AMERICAN-STATESMAN CORRESPONDENT
Thursday, August 09, 2007
When the high school volleyball season gets under way on Monday, it's a safe bet that several Central Texas powerhouses will hail from Williamson County, including a couple with legitimate hopes for regional tournament berths and perhaps even a shot at the state tournament in November.
Here's how this season is breaking down:
Angelica Arroyo, Hutto: All-Stater led the Hippos to the Class 3A regional tournament last year.
Kelli Becerra, McNeil: All-Stater has committed to SMU and led the Mavericks to the regional quarterfinals, a five-game loss to Round Rock.
Allison Gideon, Vista Ridge: Last year's Central Texas newcomer of the year was a key to the Rangers' run to the Class 4A state finals, where they lost to Dumas.
Michelle Miller, Round Rock: Miller's Dragons beat Becerra's Mavericks all three times in 2006, so the gauntlet has been thrown.
Top middle blockers
Emily Danks, Round Rock: The junior is a versatile athlete with great bloodlines (she's the younger sister of former Dragon baseball stars John and Jordan Danks).
Jessica O'Shoney, Hutto: The All-Central Texas player was District 18-3A's most valuable player last year as a junior.
Jessica Wendell, Georgetown: All-Central Texas selection is one of the area's most talented players.
Top outside hitters
Sarah Arldt, McNeil: She'll move around in the McNeil offensive sets, but she's dangerous from the outside and the middle.
Shelbi Chipman, Round Rock: A solid player all around — consistent, a strong server and an excellent ball handler.
Morgan Crawford, Vista Ridge: She was an unsung star during the team's run to state, but was nearly unstoppable from the outside.
Carrie Hahn, Vista Ridge: Speaking of great bloodlines ... her older sisters Cathy and Christi both were Central Texas players of the year while at Leander.
Rebecah Fogle, Vista Ridge: Excellent all-around attacking skills as well as a strong defensive player.
Julie Weilnau, McNeil: Like Arldt, she blasts away freely from both the middle and the outside.
Top defensive specialists
Kelsey Lawrence, Round Rock: Her average of nearly five digs a game was a key to the Dragons' run to regionals.
Jenessa Strain, Round Rock Christian: The ball-hawking libero was an important part in the Crusaders' playoff push.
American-Statesman link (http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/highschool/08/09/0809willcovolley.html)
By Butch Hart
AMERICAN-STATESMAN CORRESPONDENT
Thursday, August 09, 2007
When the high school volleyball season gets under way on Monday, it's a safe bet that several Central Texas powerhouses will hail from Williamson County, including a couple with legitimate hopes for regional tournament berths and perhaps even a shot at the state tournament in November.
Here's how this season is breaking down:
Angelica Arroyo, Hutto: All-Stater led the Hippos to the Class 3A regional tournament last year.
Kelli Becerra, McNeil: All-Stater has committed to SMU and led the Mavericks to the regional quarterfinals, a five-game loss to Round Rock.
Allison Gideon, Vista Ridge: Last year's Central Texas newcomer of the year was a key to the Rangers' run to the Class 4A state finals, where they lost to Dumas.
Michelle Miller, Round Rock: Miller's Dragons beat Becerra's Mavericks all three times in 2006, so the gauntlet has been thrown.
Top middle blockers
Emily Danks, Round Rock: The junior is a versatile athlete with great bloodlines (she's the younger sister of former Dragon baseball stars John and Jordan Danks).
Jessica O'Shoney, Hutto: The All-Central Texas player was District 18-3A's most valuable player last year as a junior.
Jessica Wendell, Georgetown: All-Central Texas selection is one of the area's most talented players.
Top outside hitters
Sarah Arldt, McNeil: She'll move around in the McNeil offensive sets, but she's dangerous from the outside and the middle.
Shelbi Chipman, Round Rock: A solid player all around — consistent, a strong server and an excellent ball handler.
Morgan Crawford, Vista Ridge: She was an unsung star during the team's run to state, but was nearly unstoppable from the outside.
Carrie Hahn, Vista Ridge: Speaking of great bloodlines ... her older sisters Cathy and Christi both were Central Texas players of the year while at Leander.
Rebecah Fogle, Vista Ridge: Excellent all-around attacking skills as well as a strong defensive player.
Julie Weilnau, McNeil: Like Arldt, she blasts away freely from both the middle and the outside.
Top defensive specialists
Kelsey Lawrence, Round Rock: Her average of nearly five digs a game was a key to the Dragons' run to regionals.
Jenessa Strain, Round Rock Christian: The ball-hawking libero was an important part in the Crusaders' playoff push.
American-Statesman link (http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/highschool/08/09/0809willcovolley.html)