SA Brandeis High Is Looking To Build On Last Season’s Success
Our next installment of highlighting High School programs on the rise brings us back to San Antonio as we look at up and coming school Brandeis Broncos. A team who took second in district 28-6A last year is looking to…
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Continue ReadingOur next installment of highlighting High School programs on the rise brings us back to San Antonio as we look at up and coming school Brandeis Broncos. A team who took second in district 28-6A last year is looking to make a deep run into the playoffs this coming season once they can get back on the court. After the new realignment in UIL, it got a little more difficult as they now have two powerhouse programs like Reagan and Churchill. Also added to the district is young and hungry Madison High that we have profiled a couple of weeks ago. This district is STACKED with volleyball talent. We had a chance to sit down with Coach Maddie Williams and discuss her squad. Here is a little from our conversation.
Prep Dig TX: Can you tell me a little about your time at Brandeis?
Coach Williams: I have been at Brandeis since it opened 12 years ago. This is my 20th year in teaching and coaching. I take pride in this program and the growth it has had the past 12 years. I truly am thankful for all the athletes I have had the privilege to coach at Brandeis and I feel that they ALL have a part in our success and help to build our name across the state.
Prep Dig TX: What do you love about the school?
Coach Williams: We have great community support at Brandeis and a great student body. You better believe that no matter where we are playing, we will have a fan base to follow us! We really worked this off-season to make sure we are supporting other sports, because they will return the favor next year as well.
Prep Dig TX: What is your coaching philosophy and how do you apply it to your teams?
Coach Williams: My players know that we have discipline, accountability, trust, commitment, hard work, and we care. These are all qualities I believe in and so do my girls. Our girls put in the work because they know the expectations for our program. They want to be better in all aspects of their lives, and we promote that. They know that I will always check on them, even after they graduate from Brandeis. There is a bigger picture and it doesn’t shut off after 4 years in high school.
Prep Dig TX: Is there anyone on staff you would like to highlight that helped you?
Coach Williams: Sr. Manager Jake Garcia was our varsity manager for 4 years. He was amazing and part of our scout team in practice. He literally participated in every off season as well and was willing to do whatever he needed to just to help his team improve. I wanted to mention Jake, b/c he is attending Arizona State in the fall and has earned a spot with their volleyball program as a student assistant.
Prep Dig TX: What is your expectation for district play this coming season considering the schools added to the new district?
Coach Williams: We love to compete! I think it will be great for us.
It will be a tough task to compete in this district, but with the following players standing next to this hungry coach, it should be fun. Let’s take a look at a few of the young ladies who are looking to fight with Bronco pride:
Photo Credit: SportsRecruits – AlamoEmma Halstead [2023] 5-11 Outside (HS: Brandeis/Club: Alamo)
Miss Halstead stepped up in a huge role for Brandeis last year as a Freshman and even had to play out of her position for them last season. Emma is very versatile on the court and brings great energy. She is an extremely hard worker both on and off the court. Coach Williams said she couldn’t wait to see her grow over the next 3 years as she has a bright future ahead of her. We just recently wrote an article about her Alamo 15 Premier team and we said that she could play multiple positions. It is nice to see someone play with as much passion as she does on the court. She is a gifted scorer who has tons of versatility on offense. She will be a star soon. Once the State ranking updates comes out in June, Emma will be ranked very high on our list so stay tuned to see where she falls.
Emilia Guerra-Acuna [2021] 5-8 Right Side (HS: Brandeis/Verbal: Boise State {beach})
Emilia is a player with a ton of energy and always seems to step up to any challenge given. She has started on the Varsity the past two seasons. She has stayed committed to the volleyball program even though she will be playing Beach Volleyball at Boise State. Coach Williams said that she has always been able to balance the two sports.
Amy DeWalt [2021] 5-6 Defensive Specialist (HS: Brandeis/Club: AVA San Antonio)
Amy is also a two year starter for the Lady Broncos and brings a lot of knowledge of the game to the court. She is a steady player with great ball control. She was selected Honorable Mention All District this past season.
Photo Credit: SportsRecruits – Alamo
Jalyn Gibson Jalyn Gibson 6'0" | OH Brandeis | 2022 State #181 Nation TX [2022] 6-0 Outside (HS: Brandeis/Club: Alamo/Verbal: TCU)
Jalyn is ranked as the 16thbest prospect in the 2022 class according to our Prep Dig State Rankings. She has been a six-rotation player since her Freshman year for Brandeis. She is a competitor who wants to put every ball down. She is a consistent weapon both on the front and back row. She was selected 1st team all district this past season. When Miss Gibson hits the ball, you can hear it come off of her hand with a loud pop. Her awesome hand contact helps her score at will. She will do great things at TCU in a few years.
Photo Credit: SportsRecruits – Alamo
Carlee Pharris Carlee Pharris 5'11" | S Brandeis | 2022 State #141 Nation TX [2022] 5-11 Setter/Right Side (HS: Brandeis/Club: Alamo/Verbal: TCU)
Carlee is ranked as the 34thbest prospect in the 2022 class according to our Prep Dig State Rankings. Carlee is a six-rotation player as well and started for Brandeis last season as a Sophomore. Carlee has an energy on the court that is contagious. She wants to do great things, but gets just as excited for her teammates’ success as well. She was also selected to 1st team all district this past season. Carlee is committed to play at TCU just like her teammate. They will be a good combination for years to come. This young lady can do it all. She hits on her club team and also sets. She plays with a fire that is rarely seen on the court.
Leila Smalls [2022] 5-11 Outside (HS: Brandeis/Club: Alamo)
After some injury setbacks the past few years this is the season we will see Leila compete in high school. According to Coach Williams, this young lady has worked so hard the past two years and is a phenomenal player. The injuries have not stopped her heart. She will be a HUGE addition to the Broncos line up. We can’t wait to see what she brings to their already stacked team.
Brandeis is looking very good on paper and after following a lot of the players on Twitter, they are no strangers to working off the court. They are all staying in shape and are hungry to get back on the court once this COVID-19 business is over with. They will hit the ground running like their school mascot does and will be a force to be reckoned with. I am looking forward to being in the stands watching all of these tough district matches.
If you have a club or high school program we should highlight, please send me an email at nov8vb@yahoo.comand we can discuss it.