State Tournament Preview: Divisions 1A and 2A
The wait is over! After three months of elite high school volleyball being played all over the Lone Star State, things are about to get even better as the University Interscholastic League (UIL) State Tournament is held this week. The…
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Continue ReadingThe wait is over! After three months of elite high school volleyball being played all over the Lone Star State, things are about to get even better as the University Interscholastic League (UIL) State Tournament is held this week.
The four regional champions of each division will battle between Wednesday and Saturday for the six state titles and us at PrepDig.com will bring you the best coverage of the event that will take place at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland.
Classes 1A and 2A are the first to start on Wednesday and here’s what to expect from each of the four semifinals set to happen in the opening day of competition:
1A
Fayetteville (44-2) vs Sulphur Bluff (26-9) – 11am
Fayetteville has been one of the most solid teams in the entire state during the regular season, losing just twice 46 matches. The Lady Lions easily won their district with 14 wins and have arguably the most prolific hitter in the state in junior outside hitter Brooklyn Jaeger Brooklyn Jaeger 5'9" | OH Fayetteville | 2023 State TX – senior setter Mattie Konvicka and sophomore outside hitter Kayme Schley are other key players for them. Sulphur Bluff seems to be up for the huge challenge ahead of them after the Lady Bears eliminated defending champions Neches in the playoffs following a 26-9 regular season campaign, which included a 10-2 record to win their district. Junior setter Taylor Willis, senior middle blocker Skylar Stanley and senior outside hitter Allie Eason were the players who led Sulphur Bluff’s run to the State Tournament.
Veribest (34-5) vs Blum (35-12) – 1pm
Making the first trip to the State Tournament in program history, Veribest was paired with a division powerhouse in Blum. The Lady Eagles have showed great improvement this season, producing a campaign of 34 wins and five losses over the season and winning their district with 11 victories and just one setback. Three returning players from last season’s campaign proved instrumental to the team’s success in junior middle blockers Cora Blackwell and Meredith Robles and senior outside hitter Kennadi Wheeless. Back in the State Tournament for the fourth time in five years, Blum has had a 35-12 win record during the season, but is undefeated against Division 1A opponents. The Bobcats strolled through their district with 14 wins and have players who will be looking to improve from their second-place finish last season, most notably sophomores Ruby Rumohr (setter), Addison Willingham (middle blocker) and Kayden Arrington (libero).
2A
Beckville (45-3) vs Crawford (43-7) – 3pm
The highlight of Beckville’s brilliant 45-3 campaign this season was certainly knocking defending champions Iola out in the region final, a victory that sent the team back to the State Tournament for the first time since 2018. The Bearcats completely dominated their district with ten wins and are currently on a 22-match winning streak, having last lost in back in August. Seniors Avery Morris (outside hitter) and Kinsley Rivers (middle blocker) form the core of the team alongside junior setter Sophie Elliott. Crawford came up one victory short of lifting the trophy last year and the Pirates have showed they’re not willing to let it happen again this time with a strong 43-7 season win record and their district title with 14 triumphs. Seniors Lexi Moody (setter) and Katie Warden (outside hitter) have gotten great help from junior outside hitter McKenna Post this season.
Wink (42-4) vs Thrall (37-8) – 5pm
Wink has been strong in the playoffs, dropping just one set in four matches. That reflects well the team’s campaign in the season as the Wildcats lost just four of their 46 matches, none of those in league play as they won their district undefeated in 11 meetings. The addition of star freshman Aizlyn Dewberry seems to the piece the core led by seniors Kyndall Garduno (setter) and Autumn Smith (outside hitter) needed to give the next step. Thrall returns to the State Tournament after falling to eventual champions Iola in the semifinals. The Tigerettes were perfect in league play, winning their district with nine wins, and overall solid all season, securing a 26-7 win record. Senior Addison Leschber, junior Aaliyah Couch and sophomore Melaina Grissom are among the team’s key players.