The Porter Spartans are on a crusade into a little bit of an unknown when it comes to its place in Class 5A volleyball in the University Interscholastic League.
Doris Elizondo is entering her fifth year coaching the program and her roster has some solid stability this season and the Spartans come in off two consecutive playoff appearances.
Porter will spend at least the next two seasons in Region II (it has previously competed in Region III). The Spartans were aligned into District 16, a small league of just six teams. And disappearing from that list is rival New Caney.
The Spartans bring along Kingwood Park, an area rival of sorts as the school is just a few miles down Highway 59, as well as Dayton. Those three teams make up half the league.
“We dragging K-Park with us, so they will still be our rivals,” Elizondo said. “We lost New Caney as our big rival because they are going up (to 6A). We’re still playing them this year. K-Park will continue to be our nemesis so to speak. I’ve already been looking around at what competition we have.”
Huntsville, Nacogdoches and Lufkin make up the rest of the district.
The Spartans are ready to take on the challenge.
Although they lost four key starters to graduation, the Spartans total nine seniors on this year’s team and return three players that started at times last year.
Senior middle/outside hitter Evie Alexander leads that group.
“Evie looks much better and she’s a lot stronger than she was last year,” Elizondo said. “And I would say she did great last year…she was second team All-District. I would anticipate her having some high stats this year.”
Porter, which was 18-20 last year (7-7 in district play), also returns a setter with experience in Jada Stallworth and a junior libero in Kayden Pate, who was an honorable mention All-District pick.
“I would honestly say even with returning seniors, I have a young team,” Elizondo said. “They’re full of energy and I’m super excited about coaching them and they are a great group of kids.”
Cora Ashcroft, a 6-foot player coming up from the junior varsity, could make a big major impact.
“I feel like she’s developed and I have to credit to her for playing some summer ball and playing year round,” Elizondo said. “She has just flipped and is going to be a strong middle for us. I’m excited about her.”
Another key hitter is senior Miakela Cook, who could fill the void on the outside. Also mentioned was Tyra Rigsby, a senior that could also provide some hitting.
On the back line, Angel Dugas, Angela Ruiz and Emily Vasquez will be looked upon to contribute as well.
“They’re consistent, hard workers and have been together the longest,” Elizondo said of this year’s team. “We have a lot of depth. They know each other very well and they work really well together. They’re not afraid to do extra together. I’m pretty excited about this group.”
Porter reached the playoffs last year and fell to College Station, the eventual regional runner-up, in three sets.
The Spartans begin the season at Corrigan-Camden on Tuesday. For the first time in program history, the Spartans will compete at the John Turner Classic in Pearland.
District 16-5A doesn’t begin until Sept. 23 against Dayton.
rtate@hcnonline.com
