Volleyball

Preseason ASJ Power 10: Here are the best HS volleyball teams in the area for the 2025 season

By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal

The Austin Sports Journal will release its 2025 Austin Volleyball Preview on Thursday, Aug. 7.

This 76-page publication will preview the Texas college season with previews of 13 Division I programs, along with an in-depth look at the Austin area high school season with previews of all 82 schools in our coverage area. It will be available digitally three days early exclusively to All-Access and seasonal all-access subscribers.

We are printing a limited number of hard copies for anyone that pre-orders the magazine prior to July 25.

To preview the 2025 season, we will release selected content to readers each week prior to the release.

Here is a look at the 10 best high school teams in Austin area for 2025:

The Power 10

2024 records are listed in parenthesis

Austin High’s Riley Malloy (6) winds up for a kill during a volleyball match in the Pflugerville ISD Volley Pfest Tournament Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024 at Weiss High School in Pflugerville, Texas. On paper, the Maroons have very few weaknesses. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal)

1. Austin High (39-7): This is the best team in the Austin area on paper. Led by USC pledge Riley Malloy and Texas pledge Camille Presley, the Maroons appear not to have a weakness at any position. The question is: Can Austin High overcome a 1-5 showing in their last five playoff appearances? Ceiling: Class 6A-II state semifinals

2. Dripping Springs (46-3): We know what your thinking. Dripping Springs is 6-0 against the Maroons since joining 26-6A and Henley Anderson is still standing on the Tigers’ side of the net. However, the Tigers lost both middle blockers and an All-American libero. Despite that, the Tigers will still be a tough team to beat. Ceiling: Class 6A-II state semifinals

3. Salado (40-8): Salado has made back-to-back appearances in the state semifinals, losing state two-time state finalist Canyon Randall in 2023 and state champion Wimberley in 2024. The third time might be the charm for a loaded Eagles team that has revenge on their mind and a state title in their sights. Ceiling: Class 4A-II state championship

4. Lake Travis (23-22): Until the news dropped that the state’s top recruit for 2027 – OH Gentry Barker –was coming to Lake Travis, the Cavaliers were a solid third place team in 26-6A. Now, they are a contender and will be back to the LT standard after a rebuilding year last season. Ceiling: Class 6A-I state semifinals

Cedar Park’s Joy Udoye dives for the ball during the Class 5A Division I Region IV volleyball final on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 at the Toney Burger Center in Austin, Texas. Can the Timberwolves return to Garland in November? (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal)

5. Cedar Park (34-16): The Timberwolves lost two players from last year’s team that reached the Class 5A Division II state finals. Head coach Lori McLaughlin has a stacked roster determined to return to Garland in November that includes OHs Joy Udoye and Mya Cheatum and setter Kaitlyn Hughes. Ceiling: Class 5A-II state finals

6.  Comal Canyon (33-14): There’s a lot of optimism in New Braunfels this season, and with good reason. Marlee Lightsey, an Army commit, is one of the top five outside hitters in the area and she has a skilled setter in Logan Sanders to feed her the ball. This is a scary team that will be playing late into November. Ceiling: Class 6A-II regional finals

7. Vandegrift (33-15): The Vipers have high expectations after reaching the Class 6A-Division II state semifinals last year. Vandegrift has all the tools for another big run if they can get by their first-round playoff opponent from 26-6A, which will likely be Dripping Springs or Austin High. Ceiling: Class 6A-II regional finals

8. Wimberley (42-3): Laney Hennessee is gone to Alabama. There may not be that star power as in 2024, but this is a solid team from top to bottom, including outside hitters Lilli Sandoval and Addison Parks and a strong net defense anchored by last year’s leading blocker, Skylar Mears.  Ceiling: Class 4A-II state semifinals

9. Buda Johnson (41-7): The Jaguars lost their two best players from 2024 to graduation, but sophomore outside hitter Mya Ibarra has head coach Thomas Kane optimistic Johnson can challenge Canyon for the district title. With experienced setter Macy Phillips feeding Ibarra the ball, there is reason for hope. Ceiling: Class 6A-I regional finals

10. Westlake (33-18): The Chaps suffered some big losses to graduation, along with Allie Hudgins moving to Highland Park. Westlake may take a few lumps early in the season, but there is a winning culture in west Austin. The Kelly sisters – Clayton and Chloe – and outside hitter Sydney Yohe is a solid foundation to build on. Ceiling: Class 6A-I regional semifinals

The next 5

11. Comal Pieper (33-9)

12. Comal Davenport (39-9)

13. Anderson (28-10)

14. Georgetown (42-9)

15. Rouse (20-26)