Volleyball punches ticket to state semifinals
After a three year absence, Dripping Springs returned to the pinnacle of the Texas high school volleyball world. Stellar play in the postseason helped the Tigers punch their first ticket to Garland and the UIL state tournament since winning it all in 2015. While the Tigers fell a couple steps short of their goal of another state championship, Dripping Springs did accomplish the feat of securing a 7th straight district title in a row. During that seven-year period, Dripping Springs’ volleyball team has won 75 straight district matches. In 2018, Dripping Springs did not allow an opponent to win a set during district play. The Tigers, led by head coach Michael Kane, was led by junior Avery Kalsu, senior Madi Certain and junior Mackenzie Murray.
Lady Tiger soccer carves path to state tournament
By virtue of a pair of hard-fought shootout wins in the 5A, Region IV tournament, the Dripping Springs Lady Tigers in March punched their first ticket to the UIL state tournament in more than a decade. Dripping Springs’ girls soccer team, led by second year head coach Bailee Perinne, dominated district play by outscoring their opponents 82-3 and earning a share of the 25-5A crown with co-champion McCallum. The Tigers’ path to state was an exercise in perseverance, none more so than a come from behind 4-3 win over Boerne Champion in the regional quarterfinals.
Tiger girls hoops earn first district title in more than a decade
Suffering an early season district loss didn’t deter the Dripping Springs Lady Tiger basketball team from
dominating the field in 2019. Following a Dec. 14 defeat to Crockett, Dripping Springs responded by winning its final 12 district contests en route to capturing the program’s first district title, shared or outright, in more than a decade. Anchoring the accomplishment were key wins in January over Crockett and Lockhart, who both were vying for the district title. The Tigers, led by second year head coach David Norris, rode the momentum into the postseason where they finished as regional quarterfinalists.
Tiger swim makes waves at state (again)
Anchored by a seasoned group of athletes, Dripping Springs’ swimming program returned to the Lee and Joe Jamail Swim Center in Austin to defend its 5A crown. While a repeat of last season’s success was a difficult act to follow, the Tigers were able to finish the year as the 15th best swim program in Class 5A. Leading the way was London Farris, who notched a pair of top-ten finishes, as well as Lydia Evans, who competed in several individual events.
Records fall in historic softball campaign
Putting bat to ball wasn’t an issue for the Dripping Springs Tiger softball team which during the course of winning the program’s first district title since 2017 shattered several offensive records. Let the history books show five Dripping Springs Tiger players all finished with a batting average higher than .400 in 2019. Leading that charge was Camille Corona who finished with a batting average of .650, nearly 10 percentage points better than the previous record of .577 she set last season. While the Tigers put up the runs, pitcher Logan Hulon kept opponents in check in the circle as well. Hulon, a University of Houston pledge, set the record for fewest average hits per game (2.12) and most average strikeouts per contest (13.39).
Football earns share of district crown
For the third year in a row, Dripping Springs’ football program captured the top spot in district play. Key wins over. McCallum and LBJ lifted the Tigers to a share of the 2018 12-5A, Division I crown, which marked the team’s third district title, shared or outright, in as many years. The Tigers accomplished the feat by outscoring opponents 504-271 in district play. That included three shutout wins over Travis (49-0), Lanier (70-0) and Reagan (44-0).
Runners hit the trails at state cross country
Led by head coach Marisa Tuzzi, Dripping Springs’ cross country program’s path led numerous runners to compete once again at the UIL state meet. The accomplishment marked the third straight year Tiger runners reached the state competition. Highlighting it all was senior Bobby Holt who capped his cross country career with a sixth place podium finish in the boys 5A run. The Tiger girls team and boys team both finished in 10th place overall.
Baseball reaches postseason once again
Completing the program’s seventh straight postseason appearance in a row, Tiger head coach Chris Payne helped lead the Tigers to a second place overall finish in 25-5A in 2019 and a trip to the regional quarterfinals. Dripping Springs, which finished the year 25-13-1, closed district play by winning six out of its final seven games, which included a critical 4-3 win over Austin LBJ. As a team, the Tigers finished the season with a .300 batting average and 70 steals, while compiling a team earned run average of 2.07.
Boys golf hits the link at state
In late May, The Dripping Springs High golf team placed 10th at the UIL State Golf Tournament held at Georgetown’s White Wing Golf Club on May 20-21. Dripping Springs closed the first day of tournament play in 11th place. Senior Jake Sitterle led the team with a two-day total of 156 strokes (79 and 77) to tie for 36th place. Also counting toward the team score were freshman Tanner Wardlaw who shot 162 (83 and 79) to finish tied for 49th place, sophomore Sam Sewell who shot 165 (85 and 80) and sophomore Jake Sewell who shot 169 (84 and 85). Freshman Luke Ezell also competed for the Tigers, shooting 183 (97 and 86).
Tennis athletes serve it up at state
Four Dripping Springs tennis athletes in April hit the court in College Station for the UIL state tennis tournament. The Tiger girls doubles team of Karley Higgerson and Whitney Robbins, as well as the boys doubles team of Thane Johannsen and Henry Lovelace all punched tickets to state earlier this year, which was held at Texas A&M University.
