Who can make a run to state volleyball? Plus players to watch in the playoffs

Len Hayward, Corpus Christi Caller Times
·3 min read

The high school volleyball playoffs have arrived, and more than a dozen teams from Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend will play at least one extra match.

Here is a look at teams that could make a run, some key storylines and key players for teams looking to have playoff success.

Flour Bluff's Harlie Gallaspy sets the ball against Veterans Memorial at Flour Bluff High School on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022.
Flour Bluff's Harlie Gallaspy sets the ball against Veterans Memorial at Flour Bluff High School on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022.

Teams that can make a run

Flour Bluff

The Hornets have been preparing for this point of the season since August, and after a five-set victory against Victoria West to win the District 29-5A championship could be ready to make a run. Flour Bluff has struggled to move past the regional semifinals but with some key seniors and arguably the area’s best player — Maggie Croft — this might be a breakthrough season.

Skidmore-Tynan

The Bobcats had success in Class 3A and with the move to Class 2A they could be in position to break through to the state tournament.

Calallen's Jordyn Thibodeaux (13) and Ashley Robertson (2) rise to block a spike attempt in a volleyball match against Tuloso-Midway at Calallen High School in Corpus Christi, Texas on Tuesday, Sep. 27, 2022.
Calallen's Jordyn Thibodeaux (13) and Ashley Robertson (2) rise to block a spike attempt in a volleyball match against Tuloso-Midway at Calallen High School in Corpus Christi, Texas on Tuesday, Sep. 27, 2022.

Key storylines

Breaking through at the regional tournament

Multiple teams have made it to the regional tournament in multiple classes since 2017, the year Tuloso-Midway broke through to the state tournament, but no team has done it since. It's expected multiple teams could qualify for the regional tournament again but the regional semifinal barrier has been hard to break through. Could this be the year?

Who could surprise in Class 4A?

This is an interesting question as seven area Class 4A teams are in the Region IV bracket in that classification, but getting past the fifth round has been tough the last few years. Tuloso-Midway and Calallen each made the regional tournament a year ago, but both were ousted in the regional semifinals. Thanks to realignment the second round could produce some all-local matchups, which could be something to watch.

Orange Grove's Hailey Eulenfeld spikes the ball on Aug. 30, 2022, in Orange Grove, Texas. Orange Grove defeated Aransas Pass in three sets.
Orange Grove's Hailey Eulenfeld spikes the ball on Aug. 30, 2022, in Orange Grove, Texas. Orange Grove defeated Aransas Pass in three sets.

Difference makers on the court

Bella Borchardt, Bishop — The Badgers top hitter with 151 kills and 141 digs this season.

Trista Boucher, Three Rivers — The key cog in the Bulldogs’ offense, Boucher has 904 assists to go with 79 service aces.

Mia De La Pena, Veterans Memorial — The multi-position player can do nearly anything for the Eagles with 11 blocks, 38 aces, 560 digs, 594 assists and 257 kills.

Jesselle Dominguez, Taft — Dominguez surpassed 1,000 assists for her career.

Hailey Eulenfeld, Orange Grove — Eulenfeld is part of an experienced Bulldogs squad that could turn some heads in the postseason.

Bella Garcia, Tuloso-Midway — Garcia is going to be heard from for the next few years after a stellar freshman campaign with 360 kills, 29 aces and 515 digs.

Rachel Graff, London — The leader of the Pirates front line this season and will be key if they want to return to the regional tournament.

Courteney Heyward, Aransas Pass — Heyward has been a mainstay for the Panthers throughout the season.

Macey Hill, Sinton — Hills has been a key part of the Pirates return to the postseason after several players graduated with 361 kills and 237 digs.

Madison Moore, Banquete — The transfer from Tuloso-Midway has become a go-to player for the Bulldogs and could be a key reason they make a run at the regional tournament.

Mikaela Palmer, Flour Bluff — The Hornets senior is a key cog for the squad as it begins another quest for the regional tournament. Palmer has 447 digs this season.

Chloe Smith, Rockport-Fulton — This is Smith’s first full varsity season and has 370 kills, 47 blocks and 37 service aces.

Tori Stratmann, Calallen — Stratmann has been a key piece of the Wildcats run to a district title with 243 kills, 305 digs and 58 aces.

Alayna Trevino, Hebbronville — The Longhorns are back in the volleyball playoffs and Trevino is a key reason with 520 assists and 25 blocks.

Jenna Vasquez, Skidmore-Tynan — Vasquez has totaled 275 kills and 475 digs as part of a balanced lineup for the Bobcats.

Alexa Vest, Gregory-Portland — A key part of the Ladycats front line her performance could be key to a deep playoff run. Vest has 50 blocks this season.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Corpus Christi volleyball teams, players to watch in the playoffs