High School Volleyball

Party like it’s ’98: Episcopal volleyball ends SPC title drought

Party like it’s ’98: Episcopal volleyball ends SPC title drought
The 19-year title drought is over for Episcopal volleyball. Vype

Originally appeared on Vype.com.

On Saturday, Episcopal volleyball (29-6) reached the mountain top for the first time in nearly two decades. The Lady Knights wrapped up the season with a 3-1 victory against Houston Christian in the SPC Championship. It earned their ninth championship overall, and first since their seven consecutive titles between 1992 and 1998.

“Because it was such a long time, it made it even more special to get that title back,” said Brennan Howell.

None of the Knights’ players were born the last time the program finished first, but they had a coach who had won before. Amanda Watts ended the 90’s dynasty with a pair of Fort Worth Trinity Valley crowns in 1999 and 2000. Her experience from those seasons, combined with this year’s talent, guided the group through a 2-4 start, as well as a 17-game win streak to end the year.

“I told them around Harvey time that they had the talent to win it,” said Watts. “And, if they kept pushing through it, they could win it.”

Alabama-commit Mylana Byrd was the main piece to the puzzle, but team depth was needed to finish it. That included fellow senior Kansas Watts, junior transfer Kathleen Johnson, sophomores Howell and Trinity Watts, and freshmen Sania Petties and Camille Hanna.

“We were so deep that no one could stop us,” said Byrd.

That was definitely the case in SPC because her team won the South Zone with a 6-0 record, and beat its three tournament opponents (Fort Worth Country Day, The Episcopal School of Dallas, and Houston Christian) in a combined 10 sets.

Mylana and Kansas finished their high school careers as champions. Both know the team’s depth was the difference in this year’s run, and will keep the program in contention for years to come.

“It feels awesome,” Kansas said of finishing her career on top. “I’m excited to see how this team is going to do next year.”

 

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Kyle Tucker returns to Houston this weekend. Composite Getty Image.

Two first-place teams, identical records, and a weekend set with serious measuring-stick energy.

The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs open a three-game series Friday night at Daikin Park, in what could quietly be one of the more telling matchups of the summer. Both teams enter at 48-33, each atop their respective divisions — but trending in slightly different directions.

The Astros have been red-hot, going 7-3 over their last 10 while outscoring opponents by 11 runs. They've done it behind one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, with a collective 3.41 ERA that ranks second in the American League. Houston has also been dominant at home, where they’ve compiled a 30-13 record — a stat that looms large heading into this weekend.

On the other side, the Cubs have held their ground in the NL Central but have shown some recent shakiness. They're 5-5 over their last 10 games and have given up 5.66 runs per game over that stretch. Still, the offense remains dangerous, ranking fifth in on-base percentage across the majors. Kyle Tucker leads the way with a .287 average, 16 homers, and 49 RBIs, while Michael Busch has been hot of late, collecting 12 hits in his last 37 at-bats.

Friday’s pitching matchup features Houston’s Brandon Walter (0-1, 3.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and Chicago’s Cade Horton (3-1, 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), a promising young arm making one of his biggest starts of the season on the road. Horton will have his hands full with Isaac Paredes, who’s slugged 16 homers on the year, and Mauricio Dubón, who’s found a groove with four home runs over his last 10 games.

It’s the first meeting of the season between these two clubs — and if the trends continue, it may not be the last time they cross paths when it really counts.

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -112, Cubs -107; over/under is 8 1/2 runs

Here's a preview of Joe Espada's Game 1 lineup.

The first thing that stands out is rookie Cam Smith is hitting cleanup, followed by Jake Meyers. Victor Caratini is the DH and is hitting sixth. Christian Walker is all the way down at seventh, followed by Yainer Diaz, and Taylor Trammell who is playing left field.

How the mighty have fallen.

Pretty wild to see Walker and Diaz hitting this low in the lineup. However, it's justified, based on performance. Walker is hitting a pathetic .214 and Diaz is slightly better sporting a .238 batting average.

Screenshot via: MLB.com



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