Vandegrift Vipers junior outside hitter Simone Priebe (11) in action during a high school volleyball game between the Vandegrift Vipers and the Cedar Park Timberwolves at Westwood High School in Austin, Texas on August 13, 2016.

By SCOTT W. COLEMAN, Four Points News

Coming off the most successful season in program history, expectations couldn’t be higher for the Viper volleyball team. Finishing 40-10 overall (more wins than the program’s first four years combined) with a regional tournament loss to eventual state champion Dripping Springs last year capped off a meteoric rise of the Vandegrift program in recent years that has garnered statewide attention.

Losing several seniors — including all-state setter Lexi Lopez, who is now at Texas A&M — is just one of the challenges coach Kelly McCarter Skidmore’s team faces this season. With the growth of Vandegrift’s enrollment, the Vipers will move away from competing with perennial state power Dripping Springs and instead will face 6A competition with longtime powers Lake Travis and Westlake.

“We return several starters off a team that posted 40 wins and advanced to the regional finals, but moving up to this Class 6A district will be challenging,” Skidmore told the Four Points News last week.

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The Vandegrift marching band and Vision Dance Co. hosted their annual March-A-Thon parade on Saturday through the streets of Steiner Ranch, raising nearly $42,000 as of Monday, according to its fundraising website.

More than 300 students in band and dance participated in a route surrounding John Simpson Park. They played a variety of music, built community spirit, and raised funds for the award winning organization for the new school year.

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The Nuessner family of Four Points: (left to right) Madison, Jennifer, Scot, Lauren, and, in front, Ridge.

By KIM ESTES, Four Points News

Incoming Vandegrift senior and member of the Legacies dance team, Madison Nuessner was diagnosed with brain cancer in July. Madison has been walking through the biggest challenge she’s ever faced with her parents, Scot and Jennifer Nuessner, by her side.

“Everyone has been very supportive and loving through all of this,” said Madison, 17, of the diagnosis.

“I have found myself wanting to spend more time with my parents, they love me so much … but my friends have all been amazing support as well. Everyone has been just so good to me. The nurse at Dell Children’s said I set a record for the most visitors in one room! I am very blessed to have loving friends and family,” she added.

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By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

With the hiring of a new superintendent and the opening of a new high school, Leander ISD students will see a number of changes as they head back to school on Aug. 22.

The Leander ISD Board of Trustees recently announced Dan Troxell, Ph.D., superintendent of Kerrville ISD, as the lone finalist for the position of LISD superintendent of schools. The Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 17, to discuss and take action to approve Troxell’s employment contract, making him an official employee of the district.

Troxell’s first official day will likely be sometime during the second week of school, according to district spokesperson Veronica Sopher. At that point, she said Troxell will begin visiting each of the campuses and getting to know community members.

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