VYPE's Preseason Volleyball Top 20 -- No. 13 The A&M Consolidated Tigers

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The A&M Consolidated Tigers

Into the Fire

Coach: Cydryce McMillian

2011 Record: 39-9

Postseason: Fell to Sachse in Second Round

By Matt Malatesta

Welcome to District 14-5A A&M Consolidated, where the volleyball is taken very seriously.

The Tigers are used to winning and are up for the challenge of the likes of The Woodlands, College Park and Oak Ridge after realignment. A&M Consolidated has four district championships over the past five seasons and a solid core of starters returning.

"It will be a challenge for us in our new district because the level of competition is so much tougher, but it will better prepare us for the playoffs," coach Cydryce McMillian said. "The expectations are high here and the players know and trust the system. We have a lot of experience and we have new goals."

Headlining the Tigers will be outside hitter Jessica Wagner, who will play her college ball at HBU in 2013, and UConn-commit Haley Cmajdalka, who plays middle blocker.

"Jessica and Haley are brilliant girls who are all-around great players," McMillian said. "Jessica does it all and is our leader, while Haley has come into her own the past few years after playing club ball."

Setting for the Tigers is Jordyn Slocum, the granddaughter of Texas A&M coach R.C. Slocum. Jordan Dixon will be the defensive whiz while Ashlyn Ford will provide support on the outside.

Can You Dig It?

Moving districts will take some getting used to, and the travel will be different on Tuesday and Friday nights. The Tigers will open up pre-district play with Lake Travis, Pflugerville and three tough tournaments to get prepared for district and the postseason.