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September 28, 2023

Houston-area volleyball teams enter stretch run toward playoffs.

Plus: See the winners of the Athlete of the Week polls.  ͏  ͏  ͏
High School Sports Insider

September 28, 2023


Houston-area volleyball teams head into stretch run with playoffs a month away

It's still 90 degrees with high humidity in Houston as we roll through the final week of September.

One reprieve from the heat for high school sports fans is to step inside a gym on a Tuesday or Friday night. Once inside, the action continues to heat up on the volleyball floor. And the air conditioning is usually pretty strong, too.

The road to Garland for the state tournament began once teams started offseason workouts. We are a month away from narrowing it down to the top four teams in each district. There's a lot to be worked out between now and Halloween.

The playoff picture is shaping up as local teams hope to advance to the Curtis Culwell Center in mid-November, just like Tompkins, The Woodlands, Lake Creek, Bellville, Huffman-Hargrave, Columbus and East Bernard did a year ago. It should be a frantic run to the finish.

Find out where your favorite team stands as the calendar flips to October.

Three things to watch

Family guys: Colleen Simmons once spoke into existence how neat it would be if her husband and son could coach football together one day. Chad Simmons and his son Austin have been doing just that at Katy Taylor for the past three years. Austin played for Chad at Cinco Ranch nearly a decade ago, and the family business these days is coaching the Mustangs.

Elevating Elsik: Shea Rodriguez played for the Elsik Rams when they reached the Class 5A state semifinals 21 years ago. Now Rodriguez is coaching his second season and looking to bring respectability back to a program that has taken its lumps in recent years.

Dynamic Dimas: Westfield kicker Jonathan Dimas is making his family proud. The senior, whose family came from El Salvador, will announce his college decision in December. Dimas is 7 for 7 on extra points with one field goal through four games this season for the Mustangs.

Note to coaches: Submit scores and stats on game nights by emailing hssports@houstonchronicle.com.

Follow all our coverage at houstonchronicle.com/highschoolsports.

Photo of Rob Tate

Rob Tate, Deputy High School Sports Coordinator

rtate@houstonchronicle.com


Top stories

Lake Creek quarterback Eli Morcos (4) reacts after running back Tyvonn Byars' 37-yard touchdown during the second quarter of a District 10-5A Division II high school football game at Montgomery ISD Stadium, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in Montgomery.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

There's a new No. 1 team in our Class 5A football rankings.

Check out where local teams landed in our weekly Houston-area football rankings.

Katy running back Chase Johnsey (8) leaps into the air alongside running back Luis Trujillo (43) before a District 19-6A high school football game at Rhodes Stadium, Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in Katy.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

Games to watch around the Houston area, plus final score predictions.

There are more enticing games this week, including one of just nine matchups of unbeaten teams across the entire state. 

Lake Creek's Tyvonn Byars is seen before a District 10-5A Division II high school football game at Montgomery ISD Stadium, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in Montgomery.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

Big numbers: See the Houston-area football stat leaders for this week.

See which players are leading the area in passing, rushing, receiving, tackles, sacks and interceptions.

Grand Oaks outside hitter Samara Coleman (12) celebrates a point during the third set of a District 13-6A high school volleyball match at College Park High School, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, in The Woodlands.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

No. 1 state-ranked Grand Oaks has tightened its grip on the 13-6A race.

With a sweep of College Park, the Grizzlies improved to 36-1, including 9-0 in district play.

Cypress Ranch setter Zora Bello (14) reacts after a point in the second set of a District 16-6A high school volleyball match at Cypress Ranch High School, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, in Cypress.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

Cypress Ranch extended its district winning streak to 43 matches.

Cypress Ranch, which hasn't lost in district play since 2020, beat fellow unbeaten Langham Creek to stand alone atop the 16-6A standings.

The Katy/Cy-Fair Classic and John Turner Classic began pool play Thursday.

Photo by: Staff Illustration

Stratford continued its dominance against 17-6A opponents.

The Spartans improved to 6-0 in district action by beating Memorial for the third consecutive time.


Athlete of the Week

Congratulations to Shadow Creek volleyball player Simone Robinson, who was voted Girls Athlete of the Week. Robinson set career highs with 43 assists and eight kills, adding 18 digs, three blocks and an ace in a five-set District 23-6A victory against Alvin.

Congratulations to Tomball Memorial football player Aiden Martin, who was voted Boys Athlete of the Week. Martin completed 18 of 20 passes for 374 yards and six touchdowns in a 79-33 win over Klein Cain. Martin also rushed eight times for 47 yards and another score in the record-setting win.

Check Monday's newsletter for a new set of candidates.


Shout out

Dickinson native and current Cypress Lakes girls basketball coach Darrin Samuels was recently inducted into the Mesquite ISD Hall of Honor. Samuels and his 2011 and 2012 girls teams at West Mesquite High School were among the inductees.


Stat of the day

24: The combined number of rushing touchdowns scored by Needville juniors Da'Shawn Burton and Keilan Sweeny. Burton has 16 touchdowns, and Sweeny has eight. Burton leads the Houston area with 959 rushing yards, and Sweeny is second with 741.

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