Longhorns spurred on by early 2014 exit
Forshee has George Ranch motivated for extended postseason campaign
Last year’s playoff breakthrough was a nice building block for George Ranch. This year the Longhorns hope they can really make some noise in the volleyball postseason.
George Ranch will enter the playoffs as the District 24-5A champion for the second year in a row. The No. 1 seed was on the line when it faced Foster on Tuesday. The Longhorns will be no worse than the No. 2 seed. Foster also has qualified for the playoffs.
With more team chemistry and better balance and depth, coach Cheyanne Forshee said she sees no reason why this year’s team cannot advance to the Region 3-5A tournament for the first time.
In addition to all of that, the Lady Longhorns have more experience a year after winning multiple playoff matches for the first time.
“It has been coming together,” Forshee said. “We have greater threats across the front row. Defensively we’re stronger. They have the experience of being there. All of my teams in the past have led us to here.”
George Ranch (35-7) has cruised through district play, but made some noise before October when it rallied from a set down to defeat two-time reigning state champion The Woodlands in five games on Sept. 22.
The attack has been led by Valerie Valerian and Allyson Dernehl, but setter Abbey Messick has a handful of hitters to use. Forshee said Messick having quality options around the court has been a great asset.
According to the Texas Girls Coaches Association rankings, George Ranch is one of the teams to beat in the regional field. The Longhorns are listed at No. 23 in the state. There are four teams - Kingwood Park, College Station, Barbers Hill and Bryan Rudder - listed ahead of them. Kingwood Park and College Station are ranked in the top 10.
George Ranch likely would have to face Kingwood Park or Barbers Hill in the second round and potentially District 23 champ Santa Fe in round three.
It is a difficult road just to get to the regional tournament, but with a year of playoff experience under their belts, the Longhorns will not be surprised by anything that stands in their way.
“They know what to expect,” Forshee said.
“Once you lose you’re done. It’s not like a preseason tournament where there is consolation and you can work your way back into it. The girls understand what is on the line.”
Something big is likely to be on the line for Fort Bend Austin in the playoffs, too. The Lady Bulldogs (39-2) have ascended to the state’s No. 2 ranking behind Southlake Carroll. They were in position to finish off an undefeated district run on Tuesday against Kempner. They are district champs for the third year in a row.
Austin will face either Friendswood or Clear Lake in the first round next week. If the Lady Bulldogs advance to the third round they could face Clear Creek for the second year in a row. Clear Creek is ranked No. 4 in the state. The teams have split two meetings this season.
Dulles will be the No. 2 seed out of District 23-6A and will face two-time reigning regional champ Clear Falls in the first round. Clements and Fort Bend Travis also have qualified for the playoffs in 23-6A.
Ridge Point has clinched a playoff berth out of District 23-5A. The Lady Panthers were headed toward the No. 2 or No. 3 seed.