Originally Appeared on VYPE
THERE ALWAYS HAS TO BE A FIRST.
A team who overcomes the odds stacked against them because they have never been there or done that.
Kingwood Park falls under that special category and used the 2018 season to buck history.
The Panthers had to face Lucas Lovejoy for the title, a team that was making its eighth state tournament appearance, compared to this being Park's inaugural trip. Kingwood Park didn't back down and instead shocked the Texas high school volleyball world by sweeping Lovejoy, 3-0.
Libby Overmyer (VYPE Public School Player of the Year) was a key piece to Kingwood Park's success. Just a junior, she sacrificed everything for her team on a per-play basis. Overmyer exemplified what being a great leader on and off the court is. Expect the same as she will be back for her senior season.
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St. John's is a storied volleyball program in the private school realm, winning 14 state championships heading into this year. But the Mavericks hadn't claimed one since the 2009 season.
The Mavericks ended the drought this fall by winning another Southwestern Preparatory Conference State Championship.
Led by Celia Adams, Alexandra Lewis, Siena Zerr and Nova Manning, St. John's was able to claim the program's 15th state title.
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Ridge Point also turned in a year for the record books, reaching the state championship game before falling short to Flower Mound.
The Panthers were led by future Longhorn – Skylar Fields, who finished the year with 471 kills. Ridge Point was a junior-heavy team, meaning 2019 will again be a year to watch this crew. Claire Jeter had a breakout season, recording 490 kills, while Reagan Rutherford, Randee Hennings and Lindsey Ogle also had nice years.
This team nearly won it all this year and with the experience they have now, expect them to be a force next fall again.
Another player who stood out this year was Concordia Lutheran's Isabel Zelaya (Pepperdine-signee).
Zelaya capped off a great high school career with an amazing senior year. The future Pepperdine star had 900 assists, 512 kills, 368 digs, 90 aces and 59 blocks, which all led the team.
Phenomenal players and teams! Cannot wait to see what 2019 brings us.
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