2013 Volleyball Preview: Players to Watch

The 2012 volleyball season saw two East Texas teams -- White Oak and Cayuga -- reach state semifinals.

If any of the region's teams are to do that again this year, chances are the players to lead a squad there are on the following list.

Below is a breakdown of who could be some of East Texas' top volleyball players in the 2013 season, led by a strong contingent of middle blockers, including Lindale's Zhanelle Geathers and Carthage's Iesha Bryant.

2013 East Texas Volleyball
Players to Watch

Danielle Anderson, Sr., OH, Cayuga

Cayuga's Danielle Anderson. (Courtesy photo)

2012: 437 kills, 44 blocks, 66 aces, and 123 digs during the regular season for the Ladycats, who finished the year 33-10 with a Class A state semifinal appearance.

Rebekah Bowden, Sr., MB, Tyler Lee

Tyler Lee's Rebekah Bowden (14) blocks a kill attempt during the Lady Raiders' first-round playoff loss Oct. 30, 2012. (Christopher Vinn, ETSN.fm)

2012: 12-5A all-district second-team selection for the Lady Raiders, who reached the first round of the Class 5A Region II playoffs.

Halee Brewer, Jr., MB, Longview

Longview's Halee Brewer makes a dig during a District 12-5A match at Tyler Lee on Oct. 9, 2012. (Christopher Vinn, ETSN.fm)

2012: 321 kills, 76 blocks, 16 aces, and 98 digs for the Lady Lobos.

Iesha Bryant, Sr., MB, Carthage

Carthage's Iesha Bryant. (Christopher Vinn, ETSN.fm)

2012: ETSN.fm Super Team Third Team selection had 390 kills and 166 blocks for the District 20-3A champion Lady Dogs.

Zhanelle Geathers, Sr., MB, Lindale

Lindale's Zhanelle Geathers. (Christopher Vinn, ETSN.fm)

2012: ETSN.fm Super Team First Team selection and District 16-4A Hitter of the Year; led Lindale to a 16-4A championship and the second round of the Class 4A Region II playoffs.

Skylynn Holmes, Jr., MB, Pine Tree

Pine Tree's Skylynn Holmes. (Christopher Vinn, ETSN.fm)

2012: ETSN.fm Super Team Third Team selection had 388 kills, 135 blocks, 68 aces, and 143 digs for the District 14-4A co-champion Lady Pirates, who finished 29-8 and reached the second round of the Class 4A Division II playoffs.

Madison Pecot, Sr., OH, White Oak

White Oak's Madison Pecot returns a ball during Aug. 6 practice. (Christopher Vinn, ETSN.fm)

2012: 117 kills, 9 blocks, and 40 digs for the 40-6 Ladynecks, who reached their fourth consecutive Class 2A state tournament.

Ivy Rieke, Sr., OH, Beckville

Beckville's Ivy Rieke (9) swings for a kill during the Ladycats' playoff win against Miller Grove on Oct. 31 in Hawkins. (Richard Shoemaker, ETSN.fm)

2012: 284 kills, 107 blocks, 14 assists, 60 aces, and 302 digs for a Ladycat team that finished 23-12 and reached the Class A Region III semifinals.

Rachel Riestenberg, Sr., Setter, Spring Hill

Spring Hill's Rachel Riestenberg sets the ball during an Aug. 8 practice at Panther Gymnasium. (Christopher Vinn, ETSN.fm)

2012: ETSN.fm Super Team Third Team selection had 1,133 assists, 61 kills, 11 blocks, 31 aces, and 96 digs for the District 16-3A champion Lady Panthers, who reached the Class 3A Region II semifinals.