Private School Spotlight: Fort Bend Christian Academy Eagles
Even though the focus on high school volleyball in the state of Texas might be more often turned to the teams competing in the six division of the University Interscholastic League (UIL), which features public high schools, the Lone Star…
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Continue ReadingEven though the focus on high school volleyball in the state of Texas might be more often turned to the teams competing in the six division of the University Interscholastic League (UIL), which features public high schools, the Lone Star state also has a tremendous amount of talent elsewhere.
The Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) is a great example of that, with several teams and athletes that play at the highest level of the sport. We were able to watch some of these squads in action recently at the 2021 Houston Open, held at the facilities of the Houston Skyline Volleyball Club, and will bring our analysis on each of them and their most promising players over the next few weeks.
Fort Bend Christian Academy Eagles
The Eagles, from Sugar Land, had a nearly perfect campaign in the tournament, advancing undefeated to the final, where they lost to eventual champions, Concordia Lutheran Crusaders. The team coached by Alex Edwards is expected to be among the strongest in the TAPPS 5A Class and is certainly living up to the expectations during preseason, with 15 wins and just three losses so far.
Congratulations to FBCA’s Varsity Volleyball team for going 4-1 and placing 2nd in the Houston Open this weekend! Another great weekend for the Eagles! @FBCAathletics @FBEagles @vypehouston @VypeCampus #togetherwesoar pic.twitter.com/I7mbuWaCrO
— Alex Edwards (@Alex_Edwards2) August 29, 2021
Players to Watch
Bailey Hanner Bailey Hanner 6'2" | OH Fort Bend Christian | 2022 State TX – Outside Hitter/Middle Blocker – Club: Houston Skyline – 2022
Bailey Hanner Bailey Hanner 6'2" | OH Fort Bend Christian | 2022 State TX is the centerpiece of the Eagles’ playing system and it couldn’t be any different due to her 6’2” size and, most importantly, the efficiency of her game. Ranked 63rd on our 2022 Prep Dig State Rankings, the outside hitter has tremendous firepower with a lethal combination of length, reach and her ability to hit different sets. She’s also versatile, often playing as a middle blocker for her Houston Skyline team, and has produced well in every area of the game so far this season, registering 222 kills, 194 passes, 114 digs, 25 aces and 22 blocks. A Texas State University, she made it to the Houston Open All-Tournament team.
Layne Bulow – Outside Hitter – Club: Houston Skyline – 2025
Coach Edwards has been blessed with a class of freshmen full of players ready to make an impact and Layne Bulow is arguably the biggest example of it. A 5’10” outside hitter, she immediately found her place in the team’s rotation due to her ability to contribute in several areas of the game. Bulow is really strong at the net, having already tallied 114 kills during preseason, but is a true difference-maker at the backcourt, where her highly-technical and intelligent game stands out. Bulow, who also made it to the Houston Open All-Tournament team, ranks second in passes (243) and digs (121) with the Eagles and leads the team in aces, with 37.
Bayleigh Minor – Opposite/Middle Blocker – Club: Houston Skyline – 2025
Even though she has a completely different profile than Bulow, Bayleigh Minor is another freshman to be an effective part of the Eagles’ rotation in her very months of high school volleyball. A six-footer, the opposite/middle blocker has all the physical tools to be a dominant player at the net, including her great size, long arms and big hands. It’s clear that there’s a lot to be improved on her game, especially when it comes to technical skills and the understanding of the game, but she seems to be picking it all up fairly quickly, having some really impressive runs during matches. Despite the limited experience, Minor has been able to produce 96 kills and 28 blocks for Fort Bend Christian Academy already.