Convenience Big Store: Volleyball playoffs preview and predictions

November 4, 2024

Election Sale: 6 Months for 99¢

Unlock access to voting resources and critical coverage.

Act Now

Sale Ends Nov. 5 | Cancel Anytime

Houston-area volleyball teams looking to contend for state titles in new playoff format

Happy Monday!

In less than three weeks, the UIL will have crowned 11 volleyball state champions.

Yes, you read that correctly … 11 state champions. It's a significant change from last year when only six teams were crowned, one from each classification. The UIL altered the postseason landscape over the summer, dividing 2A through 6A into two divisions: Division I for the larger schools and Division II for the smaller ones.

It's created a lot of intrigue across the state and begs the question about which Houston-area teams could be serious title contenders. Take a look at some of the teams I've got my eye on, as well as some key players to watch.

Check out the full Houston-area bi-district schedule here.

While the state tournament in Garland has traditionally included the semifinal matches, that won't be the case this year. Only the state championship matches will be held at the Curtis Culwell Center, Nov. 21-23.

Here's my predictions for how each region in the Class 6A brackets will shake out.

Class 6A Division I
Region I winner: Keller
Region II winner: Grand Oaks
Region III winner: Cinco Ranch
Region IV winner: Buda Johnson

Class 6A Division II
Region I winner: Byron Nelson
Region II winner: Wylie East
Region III winner: Stratford
Region IV winner: Dripping Springs

✅ Be sure to follow me on X at @JonPoorman for all the latest news. Follow our high school sports account at @HoustonChronHS.

Follow all our coverage at houstonchronicle.com/highschoolsports.

Jon Poorman, High School Sports Editor

jpoorman@houstonchronicle.com

Athlete of the Week

🏆 Athlete of the Week polls are back for another week!

Check out the nominees and vote for your favorites. Voting runs through midnight Wednesday, and the winners will be recognized in the Thursday newsletter.

✅ VOTE: Girls Athlete of the Week

✅ VOTE: Boys Athlete of the Week

Shout out

🏈 And then, there were six ...

As we enter the final regular-season week of the Texas high school football season, only six UIL Houston-area teams remain undefeated.

North Shore (9-0): The No. 2-ranked team in Class 6A has already clinched at least a share of the District 23-6A title and can claim its third consecutive undefeated regular season with a win over Summer Creek.

Fulshear (10-0): The Chargers are ranked No. 10 in Class 6A and have already wrapped up their second consecutive undefeated regular season. Fulshear will be the No. 1 seed for the Division I playoffs.

Randle (9-0): Randle has already secured at least a share of the District 9-5A Division II title, and even if the Lions lose to Lamar Consolidated this week (they won't), they would still have the No. 1 seed for the playoffs because of their head-to-head victory against Iowa Colony. Randle is looking to complete the first undefeated regular season in program history.

Willis (10-0): The No. 14 state-ranked Wildkats have already secured their second consecutive undefeated regular season and will head to the Division II playoffs after reaching the regional semifinals a year ago.

Worthing (10-0): As I noted in a previous newsletter, Worthing has been playing football since 1967 and never produced an undefeated regular season. That all changed Saturday as the Colts moved to 10-0 with a 31-0 victory over Wheatley.

East Bernard (9-0): Ranked No. 2 in the state behind Gunter in Class 3A Division II, East Bernard has its biggest test of the season this week against Tidehaven in a game that will decide the District 14-3A Division II title. The Brahmas are looking for their first unbeaten regular season since 2019.

Stat of the day

🏈 158.3: The passer rating, using the NFL's measurement, for Elkins quarterback Romin Seymour during the Knights' 64-12 victory against Clements last Thursday. The win clinched the program's first playoff appearance since 2020. For those not familiar with the NFL quarterback rating system, 158.3 is the maximum a player can receive. In other words, it doesn't get better than what Seymour produced, which was completing 11 of 13 passes for 366 yards and four touchdowns without an interception.