VYPE DFW Volleyball Playoff Preview

The UIL and TAPPs volleyball playoffs get underway this week. Which area teams have a chance at earning a trip to the final four and possibly winning a state title?

VYPE DFW previews the teams and players to watch:

5A Teams

Southlake Carroll

The Lady Dragons have been ranked No. 1 in the state most of the season, while winning major early season tournaments and dominating a very tough 7-5A. Jannelle Jenkins, Sutton Sunstrom and Caitlin Nolan headline a talented team that could win its way to San Marcos in November.

McKinney Boyd

Sophomore middle blocker Megan Mollett and junior outside hitter Drew Darling give the Lady Broncos one of the area’s best one-two punches. Darling and Kaley Seaber have high digs per game averages.

Hebron

The defending 5A state champions remain potent. Brittany Sample and Jenna Allen lead the team in kills. Morgan Allred is also a potent spiker. Micaela Spann is tough on the block.

Coppell

Senior Mikayla “Bear” Bass is one of the area’s best setters. Kierra Holst is an Oklahoma commit.

Plano West

Senior outside hitter Laura Jones is a Baylor commit. Junior middle blocker Katie Stebbins is another offensive threat. Libero Shane Peters is the team’s top defender.

Sachse

The Lady Mustangs are a perennial playoff team. Haley Jackson and Adrien Richburg lead the team in kills and blocks.

Colleyville Heritage

Kimmy Gardiner, Maddie Jones, Morgan Hatwig and Brooke Hollingsworth headline a Heritage team that played well against state's best teams in preseason tournaments.

Flower Mound Marcus

Ole Miss commit Lauren Douglass is one of the area’s top offensive threats. Regan McGuire is effective as a scorer and blocker.  Lindsay Sales leads the team with more than four digs per game.

Grapevine

Sydney Braasch leads the Lady Mustangs in kills. Emily Noel and Kiersten Braasch rank among area leaders in digs.

4A Teams

Aledo

District 4-5A champs hope Brianna Sharratt and Raygan McLelland can help them improve on 2010 regional semifinal trip.

Highland Park

Highland Park finished below .500 (20-22) but played well in tough District 10-4A lineup including Richardson Pearce and Rockwall-Heath.

Waxahachie

Texas A&M commit Kate Praslicka and senior libero Lacie Tucker helped Lady Indians end Red Oak’s two decades of district titles.

Rockwall-Heath

Lady Hawks are flying high after sweeping District 10-4A power Highland Park for first time. Regina Tillis is tops among 4A players in kills and a solid blocker.

Frisco

Raccoons almost won 30 matches while earning first playoff berth since 2004. Senior setter Ainsley Campbell is one of five seniors who helped program bounce back.

Mansfield

Tigers went undefeated in district and played well against area’s best non-district foes.

3A Teams

Lovejoy

The three-time 3A state champions still slay bigger schools, even handing Carroll an early season loss. Ebony Nwanebu is one of the nation’s top ranked players. Senior setter Andie Malloy is a team leader. Brook Ray and Mallorie Puckett add postseason experience.

Argyle

Offensive star Rachel Wilkes keys the Lady Eagles along with Sawyer Camillo, Sarah Irons and Katy Keenan.

Prosper

Nicole Marzik ranks high among area leaders in kills and digs. Sarah Robertson  and Scout Wonsang are also top defenders.

TAPPS

Bishop Lynch

Maggie Joyce, Annie Hukiu, Mary Delph and Gabby Howard give this TAPPS powerhouse another shot at a state title.

Click HERE for first-round playoff pairings.