Austin-area volleyball rankings: Top teams stay the same, Buda Johnson and Round Rock's stock is rising

By Michael Adams
madams@austinsportsjournal.com

Three weeks into the 2024 Texas high school volleyball season and only two undefeated teams remain – Dripping Springs (22-0) and Liberty Hill (21-0). Both teams won their respective tournaments this past weekend. The Tigers and Panthers are playing in the Volleypalooza Tournament this weekend.

Dripping Springs and Liberty Hill stay atop the Austin Sports Journal’s Class 6A and 5A weekly rankings, respectively, this week, while Wimberley (15-2) stays at No. 1 in our small school rankings.

Who’s hot?

Austin High (21-1) and Buda Johnson (16-4) are the two hottest teams in the Austin Area outside of the three top ranked teams. Both teams met in the championship game of the Pflugerville ISD VolleyPfest Tournament last weekend, with the Maroons edging out the Jaguars to win their second straight tournament. Austin High swept Weiss on Tuesday, while Johnson beat a good Bowie team in four sets.

In Class 5A, first year head coach Kaitlyn Kluna has Glenn playing really good volleyball. The Grizzlies pulled off a huge upset on Tuesday of Lake Belton. In the smaller classifications, Marble Falls (13-5) continues its fast start, while Thrall (9-4) and Jarrell (11-7) are both trending up.

District play begins

The District 25-6A schedule began Tuesday with Vandegrift, Round Rock and Cedar Ridge picking up wins. The shocker of the night belonged to Hutto. The Hippos swept Vista Ridge, one of the favorite in the preseason to win the district championship.

Districts 24-5A and 25-5A will begin district play next week, as will several seven-team districts in the area.

Here are this week’s rankings:

Austin High’s Ella Johnson (10) serves during a volleyball match in the Pflugerville ISD Volley Pfest Tournament Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Weiss High School in Pflugerville, Texas. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal)

Class 6A Power 5

RK., TEAM	RECORD	LW
1. Dripping Springs	22-0	1
2. Austin High	21-1	2
3. Buda Johnson	16-4	3
4. Round Rock	16-6	NR
5. Westlake	12-8	4

Dropped out: Bowie (15-4)

Others: Bowie (15-4), Cedar Ridge (13-8), San Marcos (10-7), Vandegrift (11-8), Del Valle (11-4)

Class 5A Power 5

RK, TEAM	RECORD	LW
1. Liberty Hill	21-0	1
2. Georgetown	19-1	2
3. Weiss	18-4	3
4. McCallum	10-10	4
5. Glenn	10-11	NR

Dropped out: Hendrickson (12-9)

Others: Hendrickson (12-9), Cedar Creek (10-10), Rouse (10-12), Anderson (7-6), Ann Richards (6-5)

Class 4A-Below Power 5

RK., TEAM	RECORD	LW
1. Wimberley	15-2	1
2. Salado	18-4	2
3. Gateway	11-2	3
4. Marble Falls	13-5	4
5. Johnson City	13-7	5

Dropped out: none

Others: Thrall (9-4), Jarrell (11-7)

Records were taken from MaxPreps and coaches submissions. Please send corrections to madams@austinsportsjournal.com.