After a long summer, it’s time to hit the hardwood for some volleyball. The Houston area is a hotspot for volleyball, and the 2008 season looks to be a really good one.

Even though the recent UIL realignment moving the Cy-Fair ISD teams to Region II, the race to state in Region III will be even tougher. The race to state should be interesting, with three teams that could be legitimate contenders to be the first Houston-area team to win a state title since 1994.

One team that sticks out as a favorite is Clear Creek, who returns several starters from last year’s team that lost to Cy-Fair in the regional finals last year. Already three Wildcats – senior libero Haley Jacob, senior setter Becky Bekelja and outside hitter Megan Pendergast – have committed to three top universities. Jacob verbally committed to Oregon, while Bekelja committed to McNeese State and Pendergast is going to play at Nebraska, one of the top college programs in the nation.

Kingwood has been a perennial power in Region III the past few years, and the Mustangs look like they will stay that way. A good senior class consisting of outside hitters Kathryn Lupton, Taylor Turnbow, middle blocker Christina Curry and setter Molly Evans. But Kingwood will be challenged by Humble ISD rival Atascocita in District 19-5A, and the Eagles could give Kingwood a tough time.

Cinco Ranch also made a strong playoff run, making it to the regional semifinals before being knocked off by Clear Creek. The Cougars are led by senior outside hitter Lindsey Miller, who will be heading to Texas A&M next fall. Other seniors like Kendall Pfister and Sarah Straughan, along with a solid junior class, should make Cinco a real tough team to handle.

Some of the darkhorses include Memorial, who returns a solid base of players despite losing outstanding middle hitter Sidney Stewart. However, seven players from Memorial’s run to state in 2006 are back. The Mustangs should also benefit by moving into a slightly easier district.

District 23-5A could produce a couple of talented teams this year. Fort Bend Clements and Fort Bend Dulles – the two teams that have ruled the district the past five years – each are going through rebuilding modes this year, but both still have some talent to give anyone a tough time. That gives new school Fort Bend Travis – who returns every single player from last season – a chance to break out and be the top team in the district, while Elkins will have two strong players to lean on with senior hitter Hope Williams and junior setter Amy Bremer.

Also keep an eye out on Seven Lakes, Katy, Stratford and Pearland, all teams that should be tough to deal with. As far as the state goes, teams like Amarillo, Austin Westlake and Plano West are in the conversation as state contenders. Clear Creek could develop into one of those state contenders, but we will find that out in September after the non-district season is over.

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