By Michael Adams
michael@otssports.com

The volleyball playoffs begin on Oct. 30, so there’s just about a month left in the high school volleyball season. We’re handing out midseason report cards, giving you five players to watch, and making playoff predictions for each district. 

Let’s get to it. 

Note: Records do not reflect results from matches on Tuesday, Sept. 26.

The honor roll

The A-honor roll 

Lake Travis (35-4) – Brandace Boren’s squad hasn’t lost a match since Aug. 26 – a 2-0 defeat by Liberty Hill in tournament play. 

Dripping Springs (34-3) – The Tigers are young with only two seniors in regular rotation, but achieving at an elite level. They will be a threat in November. 

Austin High (24-9) – The District of Doom (26-6A) has four teams playing elite volleyball and one of those teams is Austin High, which sits in third place behind Lake Travis and Dripping Springs.

Rouse (28-11) – The Raiders have dropped just one set in district play and has a few impressive wins to their resume. 

Round Rock (27-9) – The Dragons have a stronghold on District 25-6A, but sweated out a 3-2 win over Vandegrift on Septl. 19. 

The B-honor roll

Westlake (27-10) – The Chaps had a strong non-district showing, but lost four straight before Tuesday’s showdown with Bowie.  Three of those losses were to Dripping Springs, Austin High, and Lake Travis. 

Georgetown (23-14) – The Eagles are winners of their last 7 games prior to Tuesday’s match with cross-town rival East View. 

Liberty Hill (30-8) – The Panthers are in second place behind Rouse in District 25-5A with a few impressive non-district wins, including Lake Travis. 

Weiss (21-7) – The Wolves are making some noise in District 12-6A and are currently in second place behind Waco Midway. 

Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders (12-8) – The Stars are currently in first place in District 12-5A. 

Sleeper teams

Glenn (20-16) – The Grizzlies are fiesty and can play with anyone in their district. Glenn’s defensive front puts them in the playoff discussion.

Vista Ridge (22-14) – The Rangers’ two district losses were to Round Rock and Vandegrift.

Vandegrift (15-19) – Records can be deceiving, and the Vipers are a perfect example. Vandegrift played one of the hardest non-district schedules of any team in the area.

Hendrickson (22-6) – The Hawks are in the race in District 23-5A and will look to avenge their only district loss when Georgetown comes to town on Oct. 13.

Players to Watch

Avery Hamlin, Sr, OH, Lake Travis – 304 kills, 3.2 kills per set, .283 hitting percentage, 44 blocks. 

Henley Anderson, So., OH, Dripping Springs – 487 kills, 4.8 KPS, .305 hitting pct., 34 blocks

Riley Mallory, So., OH, Austin High – 292 kills, 3.9 KPS, .265 hitting pct. 162 digs. 

Alex Beauchamp, Sr., OH, Vandegrift – 311 kills, 4.0 KPS, .204 hitting pct., 12 blocks, 215 digs, 12 aces. 

Molly Cravens, Sr., OH, Round Rock – 294 kills, 3.0 KPG, .343 hitting pct., 72 blocks, 39 digs. 

Savannah Skopal, Sr. S, Rouse – 1,115 assists, 110 kills, 54 blocks, 276 digs, 51 service aces. 

Playoff Predictions

District 12-6A

Champion: Waco Midway

Playoff teams: Weiss, hutto, Copperas Cove

Sleeper: Bryan

District 25-6A

Champion: Round Rock

Playoff teams: Vandegrift, Vista Ridge, Westwood

Sleeper: Stony Point

District 26-6A

Champion: Lake Travis

Playoff teams: Dripping Springs, Austin High, Westlake

Sleeper: Anderson

District 23-5A

Champion: Georgetown

Playoff teams: East View, Hendrickson, Bastrop

Sleeper: Cedar Creek 

District 24-5A

Champion: Ann Richards 

Playoff teams: McCallum, Austin LASA, Crockett

Sleeper: LBJ

District 25-5A

Champion: Rouse

Playoff teams: Liberty Hill, Glenn, Cedar Park

Sleeper: Leander