Texas High School Volleyball Championships: Undefeated Teams Clash

The UIL state volleyball season reaches its climax today at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas. Four state championships will be awarded, with teams vying for prestigious titles in the Class 5A and 6A divisions. Notably, Trophy Club Byron Nelson has the chance to finish the season undefeated, a historic achievement in high school volleyball.

On the first day of the finals, teams such as Blum, Jewett Leon, and Iola secured state championships. Day two saw Decatur successfully defend its title, while Goliad avenged a previous loss to Bushland. Both Clifton and Fort Worth Eagle Mountain celebrated victories in their inaugural title matches.

Class 5A Championship Previews

The action kicks off at 11:00 a.m. with the Class 5A Division I final featuring the College Station A&M Consolidated Tigers (37-9) and the Dallas Highland Park Scots (42-8). This marks College Station’s first appearance in a title game, having previously reached the final four in 1985 and 2014. Highland Park, appearing in its third final, seeks redemption after losses in 2003 and 2008.

Highland Park enters the match on a remarkable 20-game winning streak and has achieved six consecutive sweeps in the playoffs. While the Scots’ statistics are not available, the Tigers have also secured eight straight wins, including standout performances from freshman Harper Korenek with 477 kills and senior Jillian Vinal contributing 305 kills. The defensive lineup boasts four players with over 300 digs, led by Korenek’s 356.

Following this matchup, the Class 5A Division II final at 1:00 p.m. features the Cedar Park Timberwolves (38-12) against the Argyle Eagles (38-3). Cedar Park aims to break a streak of two previous finals losses, while Argyle hopes to extend its 17-match winning streak. The teams have faced each other only once since 2014, with Cedar Park holding a 2-1 series advantage.

Key players for Cedar Park include senior Joy Udoye, who has recorded 568 kills and is a Stanford signee, and senior Mya Cheatum, with 411 kills and 155 digs. Argyle counters with Alexis Elsey, who leads the Eagles with 312 kills.

Class 6A Championship Showdowns

The Class 6A Division I final at 4:00 p.m. features the Pearland Dawson Eagles (42-4) facing the undefeated Trophy Club Byron Nelson Bobcats (41-0). Byron Nelson is on a remarkable 77-match winning streak, aiming to complete a perfect season. The two teams have split their previous encounters, each winning once.

Dawson, marking its first appearance in the semifinals or finals, has a strong roster of Division I commitments, including Taylor Ranney at Grand Canyon University and Jenna Thedford at Texas A&M. Meanwhile, Byron Nelson’s roster features returning all-tournament players such as Kylie Kleckner, who was also the MVP of last year’s Class 6A Division II finals.

The final match of the day, Class 6A Division II, pits the Austin Stephen F. Austin Maroons (41-6) against the Southlake Carroll Dragons (34-5) at 6:00 p.m. Austin is making its second-ever final appearance, having last won the title in 1992. Southlake Carroll, on the other hand, seeks to avenge its previous loss in the 1998 finals.

Carroll’s roster boasts eight players headed to college programs, including Layla Austin at San Diego State and Teddy-Ray Ewers at Incarnate Word. The Dragons have a formidable attack led by Austin with 468 kills and Kinsley Young with 324 kills. For Austin, Maggie McCarroll leads the team with 702 assists and 83 aces.

As the UIL state volleyball season concludes, fans eagerly await these championship matchups that promise to showcase the talent and determination of high school athletes across Texas.