Texas High School Volleyball Championships: A Day of Showdowns

The UIL state volleyball season culminates today in Garland, Texas, with four championship matches set to determine the best high school teams in the state. The finals will take place at The Curtis Culwell Center, showcasing talent from various schools. Notably, Trophy Club Byron Nelson aims to conclude its season undefeated, while other teams seek to make their mark in state history.

Class 5A Division I Showdown

The first match features the College Station A&M Consolidated Tigers (37-9) taking on the Dallas Highland Park Scots (42-8) at 11 a.m. This marks A&M Consolidated’s first appearance in a title game, having reached the final four for only the third time in school history, with previous trips in 1985 and 2014. In contrast, Highland Park seeks its first championship title, having previously lost in the finals in 2003 and 2008.

Highland Park enters the match riding a remarkable 20-game winning streak, with six consecutive matches ending in sweeps. A&M Consolidated has also shown strong form, winning its last eight matches. Freshman Harper Korenek leads the Tigers with an impressive 477 kills, maintaining a hitting percentage of 27%. Senior Jillian Vinal contributes significantly with 305 kills, while four players have recorded over 300 digs, showcasing a strong defensive presence.

Cedar Park vs. Argyle in Class 5A Division II

At 1 p.m., Cedar Park Timberwolves (38-12) will face the Argyle Eagles (38-3) in the Class 5A Division II final. Cedar Park is making its second consecutive appearance in the finals, albeit with a 0-2 record in previous trips. The Timberwolves aim to break this streak against an Argyle team that has won 17 straight matches, including a semifinal victory that avenged one of their three regular-season losses.

Cedar Park has a slight edge in their historical meetings with Argyle, having won two out of three encounters, though they have not faced each other since 2014. Notable players for Cedar Park include senior Joy Udoye, a Stanford signee with 568 kills, and Mya Cheatum, who has 411 kills and 155 digs. For Argyle, Alexis Elsey leads the attack with 312 kills, supported by teammates Hannah Baker and Susanna Hodson, both exceeding 200 kills this season.

Class 6A Division I Features Pearland Dawson vs. Byron Nelson

At 4 p.m., the Pearland Dawson Eagles (42-4) will go head-to-head with Trophy Club Byron Nelson Bobcats (41-0) in the Class 6A Division I championship. Byron Nelson is on a stunning 77-match winning streak and aims to finish the season undefeated. The all-time series between these teams is tied at 1-1, with Dawson having won their last encounter in 2012.

The Bobcats, who won the championship last year and the 6A title in 2019, boast several standout players. Kylie Kleckner, named MVP of last year’s finals, along with other all-tournament players, will be crucial in their pursuit of victory. On the other hand, Dawson is making its first appearance in the semifinals or finals, with players like Taylor Ranney and Keaton Points set to continue their volleyball careers at the collegiate level.

Austin Stephen F. Austin Maroons vs. Southlake Carroll Dragons

The final match of the day occurs at 6 p.m., featuring the Austin Stephen F. Austin Maroons (41-6) facing the Southlake Carroll Dragons (34-5). This is only the second time in history that Austin has reached the finals, the last being in 1992 when they claimed the 5A title. Southlake Carroll, meanwhile, is making its second finals appearance after previously losing in the 1998 4A finals.

Carroll aims to capitalize on its current 13-match winning streak, while Austin hopes to extend its five-match win streak. Both teams feature several players committed to continuing their volleyball careers at the collegiate level, including Layla Austin, who is set to play at San Diego State, and USC pledge Riley Malloy, who leads Austin with 544 kills.

As the day unfolds, the high stakes and fierce competition promise an exciting conclusion to the UIL state volleyball season. Each match not only benefits the schools involved but also showcases the dedication and talent of young athletes across Texas.