By Brian Gosset
gmsportsmedia2023@gmail.com
Several key volleyball players in the DFW metroplex are expected to miss the first three weeks of the postseason while representing our country.
Mansfield’s MC Crutcher (2029), Allen’s Maya Ogbogu (2028), Hebron’s Taylor Johnson (2028), Plano’s Bella Osborn (2028) and Plano Coram Deo’s Grace Hengler (2029) were selected to the first-ever USA U17 Girls National Team back in September. They were among 17 players who will compete at the 2025 NORCECA Women’s U17 Continental Championship, set for Nov. 4-9 in San Jose, Costa Rica.
The athletes will participate in a training block Oct. 26-Nov. 1 at the Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Following the training, 12 athletes will be named to the final competition roster to represent the United States at the championship.
The UIL and TAPPS playoffs begin with first-round games Thursday through Saturday (10/30 – 11/1) with second and third round games early and later next week, respectively (11/3 – 11/8). If any of the five DFW players don’t make the cut after this weekend, they will be projected to play in the second round if their teams make it past the first round.
Mansfield (44-2) faces Keller on Thursday at Haltom. Crutcher leads the team in kills and helped the Tigers to an undefeated District 3-6A championship. Allen (35-6) ended the regular season co-champs in District 6-6A. The Eagles reached the state semifinals last season – their first appearance since 2007. Ogbogu has led the Eagles in kills both seasons and was named GM Sports All-Area Newcomer Of The Year. Allen faces Coppell on Thursday at Hebron.
Johnson also had a stellar freshman year in 2024, and helped the Hawks to a 3-0 sweep against Flower Mound in the final regular season game to clinch a co-championship in District 5-6A. Hebron (26-11) takes on Plano East on Friday at McKinney. Osborn leads Plano with 570 digs and 64 aces as the Wildcats (27-10) will play Flower Mound on Thursday at The Colony. Hengler helped Coram Deo to upset wins over Pantego and Carr. Prince Of Peace in TAPPS District 2-4A.
The UIL state championships will run Nov. 20-22 in Garland while the TAPPS title matches are Nov. 13-15 in the Waco area.
