UPDATED: Get excited, it's volleyball playoff time!

The volleyball playoffs begin next MONDAY (originally all games were scheduled for Tuesday) with three of our schools from District 16-6A in the race for the state title.

The Woodlands Lady Highlanders (33-3, 11-1) vs. The Montgomery Lady Bears (11-25, 7-7) at Conroe High School

***Next Up: The Woodlands will take on the Montgomery Lady Bears at Conroe High School at 6pm on Monday, November 3rd. The game was originally scheduled for the 4th but was moved due to a scheduling conflict.

Season Review: The Lady Highlanders won district for a third straight season, and have won 26 of their last 27 contests heading into the playoffs. The Lady Bears struggled in non district play, but turned in on when it counted to finish ahead of Spring to make it to the playoffs.

What to Watch For: Net play. This game will be played close to the net, with the Highlanders length being a factor against the Lady Bears.

Analysis: With Rachel Reed and Courtney Quinn smashing kills at the net, and Julia Pasch providing the blocks and defense, expect the Lady Highlanders to roll in this one. Kendall Cook has really developed into a quality passer, setting up her teammates for strong attacks. Montgomery has faced a few 15-6A teams, losing to Kingwood in straight games on August 22nd, and to their playoff opponent, The Lady Highlanders, on August 26th. If The Woodlands jumps out early in the match, expect it to end quickly.

The Oak Ridge Lady War Eagles (30-5, 10-2) at Klein Collins (neutral site) vs Klein (19-15-1, 11-3)

Next Up: The Lady War Eagles will travel to Klein Collins to take on the Klein Bearkats at 6pm on Tuesday, November 4th.

Season Review: Dating back to Oak Ridge’s sweep of Klein Oak on August 26th, the Lady War Eagles have gone 15-2, including victories over playoff foe Klein, and the highly touted Lady Highlanders, snapping their 24-game winning streak.

What to Watch For: Ball distribution. Both Klein and Oak Ridge have five players with triple digit kills on the season, and both have multiple players to help set up their attacks.

Analysis: Oak Ridge took care of business against Klein in early September, and I’d expect the same thing this time around. Sophomore Brooke Clark has elevated into a premier player, leading the team in kills with 376, including a game high 28 in their victory over The Woodlands last week. Senior Victoria Harris will be ready for a strong final push to her high school career, and senior Jackie Ward and sophomore Raigen Cianciulli will be ready to play defense and turn it into offense. Klein will rely on senior Kate Orsini and her 288 kills, to keep them in the contest. Klein is big at the net, featuring Jasmine Koonts, who has 168 blocks on the year. If Oak Ridge can move the ball around the blocks, they should be able to come away with a victory in this contest.

The College Park Lady Cavaliers (27-8, 8-4) at Klein Oak (20-13, 12-2)

Next Up: The Lady Cavaliers will travel to Klein Oak to take on the Panthers on Tuesday, November 4th at 5:30pm

Season Review: College Park started the year 9-2 and stayed efficient, running through district 16-6A, always staying in the top half of the standings. Klein Oak started the year a little slower, going 7-7, before turning on the juice and going 12-2 down the stretch in district play.

What to Watch For: Pressure packed games. Both teams have played multiple games that went the distance (five for Klein Oak, four for College Park), and this has a chance to be the same. With both teams battle-tested, expect the team that maintains their composure better during tight points to grab the upper-hand.

Analysis: College Park has some mashers on their squad, led by senior Emily Thorson. If Hannah Erwin continues to set-up the attack and they use what they learned in multiple tight contests with strong competition in district 16-6A, they will be in the game. Klein Oak has a three-headed monster attack with Logan Studdard, Makayla Bradbury, and Jamie Risdal, who all have over 200 kills on the year. These teams met at Klein Oak on August 29th with the Lady Cavaliers winning in four games. With a rematch on tap and both teams improved from the last time they met, expect this contest to be highly contested, with four or five games a definite possibly to decide the victor.