By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal
The 2024 UIL Texas high school volleyball playoffs get underway Monday and Tuesday with nearly 40 Austin-area teams competing.
The Austin area last produced a state champion in 2022 when Dripping Springs won its third title in school history. There’s a handful of teams that are state championship contenders, including the Tigers.
With several interesting storylines to keep an eye on throughout the playoffs, the biggest will be how the two-division split in each classification will impact local teams. Here are storylines to follow:.
Will the third time be the charm for Liberty Hill?
Liberty Hill (37-7) is looking for its third straight trip to the state semifinals and a return appearance in the state championship game. The Panthers upset Colleyville Heritage last year in the semifinals to reach the 5A state championship, where they fell to state powerhouse Lucas Lovejoy.
Liberty Hill will first have to navigate a tough Region IV, despite recent dominance in the playoffs. One roadblock will be fellow District 25-5A member Cedar Park, a team that has beat the Panthers twice this season and carries a 16-game winning streak into the playoffs.
The good news is that Liberty Hill won’t see the Timberwolves until the regional finals, should both teams get that far. On thing to note, the top two teams from 25-5A have made it to the regional finals in each of the past two years with Liberty Hill defeating Rouse both times. First, the Panthers will have to get by a tough San Antonio Pieper team in the first round.
Can Dripping Springs get through a tough Class 6A Division II bracket?
If Dripping Springs wants to win its fourth state championship, the Tigers are going to have their work cut out for them. That’s because the Class 6A Division II bracket is loaded with nationally ranked teams, including Dripping Springs.
The Tigers (44-2), who are ranked No. 6 in the nation by MaxPreps, will first have to get through a brutal Region IV that will also feature District 26-6A runner up Austin High (39-6), last year’s Region IV champion San Antonio Harlan (36-5), District 28-6A champion San Antonio O’Connor (37-7) and New Braunfels Canyon (31-13), as the Cougars are in their first year in Class 6A after being a powerhouse in 5A for many years.
Whoever makes it out of Region IV will play the Region III winner in the semifinals before the No. 1 team in the nation, Trophy Club Byron Nelson (34-1), could be waiting in the championship game.
Wimberley chases state title No. 7
Wimberley (34-3) has more state championship teams than any other school in the Greater Austin Area, and the Texans are primed for a run at state title No. 7.
Wimberley, led by Alabama volleyball commit Laney Hennessee, is the top ranked team in Class 4A by MaxPreps and the odds-on favorite to win the 4A-Division II state championship. The Texans should power through Region IV but may have a talented Salado team waiting for them in the semifinals.
Who are the sleepers to contend for a state title?
A healthy Westlake is a legit threat in the Class 6A Division I bracket. The Chaps (28-17) have a young, but loaded roster and on paper they are one of the best teams in the area. However, Westlake has had dealt with a lot of adversity and injuries this season, which makes their record a tad deceiving.
Another team to keep an eye on is Blanco (19-18). The Panthers reached the third round of the Class 3A playoffs last year before falling to Clyde, their first round opponent on Tuesday. Blanco has won seven straight, including a big upset of co-district champion Llano. If the Panthers get through Clyde, they could have a real shot of winning Region I.