Texas Volleyball Championships Conclude With Intense Finals

The UIL state volleyball season culminated today in Garland, Texas, where four championship titles were awarded at The Curtis Culwell Center. Notably, the Trophy Club Byron Nelson Bobcats aimed to secure an undefeated season, while several teams vied for their first state titles in a thrilling day of competition.

On the opening day of the finals, the teams of Blum, Jewett Leon, and Iola claimed state championships. The second day featured a repeat victory for Decatur, who solidified their status as a dominant force. Goliad avenged an earlier loss to Bushland in a rematch, while Clifton and Fort Worth Eagle Mountain secured titles in their inaugural appearances at the finals.

Class 5A Championships

The Class 5A Division I final showcased the College Station A&M Consolidated Tigers (37-9) against the Dallas Highland Park Scots (42-8) at 11:00 a.m. This marked the Tigers’ first title game appearance, having reached the final four only twice previously, in 1985 and 2014. Highland Park, on the other hand, has competed in the finals three times but has yet to secure a championship, with losses in 2003 and 2008. This matchup guaranteed a first-time champion.

Highland Park entered the match on a remarkable 20-game winning streak, achieving six consecutive sweeps to reach the finals. College Station A&M Consolidated also boasted an impressive record, having won eight straight matches prior to the final. Freshman Harper Korenek led the Tigers with 477 kills, while senior Jillian Vinal contributed 305 kills. The Tigers excelled defensively, with four players recording over 300 digs.

In the Class 5A Division II final, the Cedar Park Timberwolves (38-12) faced the Argyle Eagles (38-3) at 1:00 p.m. Cedar Park aimed to break a streak of two previous finals defeats, while Argyle entered the match with a 17-game winning streak. The Timberwolves held a slight edge in their historical matchups, leading 2-1 against Argyle, although they had not faced each other since 2014.

Class 6A Championships

The Class 6A Division I final featured the Pearland Dawson Eagles (42-4) versus the Trophy Club Byron Nelson Bobcats (41-0) at 4:00 p.m. Byron Nelson aimed to complete a perfect season, riding a 77-match winning streak into the game. The teams had equal head-to-head records of 1-1, with Dawson winning in 2012 and Nelson triumphing in 2015. This was Dawson’s first trip to the semifinals or finals, while Byron Nelson had previously won two championships.

Among the standout players, Kylie Kleckner was recognized as the MVP of last year’s Class 6A Division II finals. She returned alongside junior Sophee Peterson and senior Ashley Seay, all of whom had garnered all-tournament honors. A victory for Byron Nelson would mark them as the second team from the Dallas-Fort Worth area to finish the season undefeated, following Lucas Lovejoy in 2020. Dawson also featured a roster filled with collegiate prospects, with several players signed to Division I programs.

The final match of the day saw the Austin Stephen F. Austin Maroons (41-6) go head-to-head with the Southlake Carroll Dragons (34-5) at 6:00 p.m. This marked only the second time Austin had reached the finals, their previous appearance having been in 1992 when they won the 5A title. Southlake Carroll aimed for redemption after a previous finals loss in 1998, having reached the semifinals multiple times.

Carroll entered the match on a 13-game winning streak, while Austin had won five consecutive matches. Both teams were bolstered by several players committed to collegiate programs, underscoring the competitive nature of the tournament.

As the UIL state volleyball season came to a close, the champions crowned today added their names to the rich history of Texas high school athletics, showcasing the talent and dedication of young athletes across the state.