East View Patriots head coach Sydney Huck reacts in celebration when her team wins the third set to defeat the LASA Raptors at the Bi-District Class 5A volleyball playoff on Monday, October 30, 2023, at Connally High School in Pflugerville, TX.
John Gutierrez, John Gutierrez For American-Stat
Rouse volleyball coach Shelbi Goode welcomes a challenge.
“We want to play the best of the best,” Goode said.
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And for Rouse, as well as a handful of other Central Texas volleyball programs, the challenge will be here soon enough.
As the Texas state high school volleyball season begins Monday, the changes from February’s UIL’s realignment become a reality for all programs. And for those making the jump up to Class 6A — the state’s largest classification — the move can present distinct tests. Cedar Park, East View, Hays, Leander and Rouse are the Austin-area schools now in 6A, with all of those but Hays placed together in District 24-6A.
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“We’ve talked about how there’s not going to be a single game that’s going to be light or we’ll be able to take off,” said East View coach Sydney Huck, who has led the Patriots to the Class 5A playoffs the last three years. “We have to be locked in every match. … But I also think it’s kind of lighting a fire under these athletes to try and prove something because we know going in that we’re going to be the underdogs in every match. We’re ready for the challenge and ready to prove we’re capable of being in the (playoff) talks, too.”
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Coaches brace for new, tougher districts
Those coaches who spoke to the American-Statesman are anticipating roster depth and the high quality of all the district teams as the main differences between Class 5A and Class 6A. Most 5A schools have an enrollment of less than 2,000, while the majority of 6A schools have more than 2,500. And even teams at the bottom of the district standings in 6A are still likely to be a threat on any given night.
“Most 6A schools have an opportunity to stack their roster and have teams of 18 with plenty of (6-foot-4) players,” Huck said. “My tallest kid is 5-10, which is just what we have going into 6A. But our kids are ready to compete with what we have.”
In District 24-6A, which also includes Hutto, Vandegrift and Vista Ridge, something will have to give. Six of the seven teams made the playoffs last fall, and the one that didn’t, Hutto, has a lot of returning experience.
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Changes for 2025 state champion Cedar Park
Cedar Park won the Class 5A Division II state championship last year, but the Timberwolves are almost in a fresh start after graduating seven of their top eight players and former coach Lori McLaughlin moving districts to focus on teaching. New coach John Henze, who was Cedar Park’s lead assistant last year, said he doesn’t anticipate any changes in the way the Timberwolves will prepare in 6A.
And he noted the biggest difference may only be realized in late October.
“Our district in the playoffs goes up against some pretty big schools, and it will look a lot different for (those moving up who qualify) just with the level of competition come postseason,” Henze said.
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Hays already prepared for tougher path
Every program and situation is different, though. Hays arguably may have just as good a shot to make the postseason in its new 6A district as it did playing in a tough 5A district the last two years. And Goode noted the Austin area is so loaded with talent that teams and coaches are used to facing good teams.
“Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish (between 5A and 6A),” she said. “We always load our (non-district schedule) with difficult teams and go to the best tournaments we can. The teams in our district are all good, but they’re also teams we’re familiar with.”
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There are a record 21 Central Texas teams in 6A this two-year cycle. And for those new to it, the experience has arrived.
“We’re ready for district already,” Goode said with a laugh. “We want to go get it.”