WHERE: Curtis Culwell Center -- Garland, TX
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Few teams have been quite as captivating as Southlake Carroll in 2025.
Refined by a daunting district slate featuring Byron Nelson and Keller — the former of which will be competing in the 6A-DI Final — the Dragons have weathered this postseason storm with remarkable composure. Even more impressive is the fact that they’ve done so while sweeping every opponent in their path, most recently overpowering a red-hot Tomball squad last Saturday.
Suffice it to say, Southlake Carroll (34–5) has more than earned its place in this week’s championship. Under third-year coach Leslie Jackson, this moment represents the program’s first trip to the UIL State Final since 1998 — and only its third State Tournament berth overall, the last coming in 2013.
The primary weapon for Jackson’s senior-laden roster is undoubtedly Layla Austin. Dominating from the pin, Austin (a San Diego State-signee) has remarkably compiled the same number of kills and digs — 468 apiece — leading the Dragons in both categories.
Joining her in the front row are TCU-bound middle Kinsley Young and fellow senior outside hitter Teddy-Raye Ewers (Incarnate Word). Young, the defending 4-6A Blocker of the Year, has stacked well over 300 kills and 100 blocks this fall, while Ewers has contributed an additional 241 kills and 255 digs.
Carroll is just as disciplined on the back line, anchored by veterans such as DS Lauren St. Charles (Trinity), who has collected more than 400 digs, and setter Emma Eyster (Oklahoma Christian), whose near-700 assists have orchestrated the attack. Freshman Mariel Elizondo is also expected to play a pivotal role as she approaches the 500-assist mark in her debut season.
The Austin Maroons pose following their 3-2 win against Tompkins in the 6A-D2 State SemisMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
Where Southlake Carroll’s run has been defined by sheer force, Austin’s journey has been shaped by a battle of wills. That contrast came into sharp focus last Saturday at Houston ISD’s Delmar Fieldhouse, when the Maroons rallied from a 2–0 deficit against Tompkins to complete a dramatic reverse sweep.
That kind of resilience in the season’s most critical moments speaks volumes about the mentality head coach Kiley Woods and her staff have instilled in the program’s DNA. Moreover, it now gives Austin (41–6) an opportunity to pursue its second State crown, pairing with the 5A title the school captured in 1992.
It’s no secret who the stars of the show are. USC-bound senior Riley Malloy has been virtually unstoppable throughout her decorated career. Standing 6-foot-5, Malloy blends size, intensity, and intuition — plus a wicked serve — and it’s no surprise she’s amassed well over 500 kills, 500 receptions, and 300 digs this fall.
Alongside her is junior middle Camille Presley, a Texas commit, who has supplied 244 kills and a team-leading 102 blocks. Arkansas signee Maggie McCarroll (Sr., S/RS) adds another dimension entirely, proving she can do it all with 702 assists and 272 kills to her name.
Defensively, the Maroons are just as sensational. When opponents struggle to land clean swings, junior libero Laven Blumoff — a Denver commit — is usually the reason, having registered 420 digs in 2025. Another vital presence is junior setter Nora Bettis, an understated offensive orchestrator with more than 500 assists.
By night’s end, either Southlake Carroll or Austin will finally grasp a championship that’s eluded both for decades. And given the contrast in their journeys — one forged through dominance, the other in defiant resilience — the title will soon belong to whichever side best channels the qualities that brought them this far.
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The Austin Maroons pose following their 3-2 win against Tompkins in the 6A-D2 State SemisMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
