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THE PINNACLE: UIL Volleyball State Final Preview -- Bellville vs. Decatur (4A-D1)
As we touched on in their State Semis preview, it's been no secret that Bellville is a perennial title-contender, dating back to 1984, when they won it all in their State-debut.
19 appearances in the UIL State Tournament over the past four decades speaks for itself. But, this particular group just seems special.
The Brahmanettes (44-5) took down the reigning UIL-4A champion Davenport in a five-set thriller on Tuesday, giving coach Susan Brewer and company the opportunity to capture the program's first championship since 2005.
Considering the level of play that Bellville has maintained throughout this Fall, knocking off any challenger that comes in their path, it appears that the title is theirs to lose.
However, Decatur might have something to say about that.
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In each of the previous five times (2013, 2014, 2018, 2020, 2021) that they have reached the State-level of the playoffs, the Eagles have stepped off the court as UIL champions.
After sweeping Celina on Tuesday night, Decatur (31-13) now intends to go 6-for-6, under the direction of coach Stormi Snider.
Despite the odds, this squad has subverted expectations time and time again, which means they are not to be underestimated at this stage.
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In what could easily be a five-setter, these two Class 4A juggernauts will face each other Friday night (6:00 pm) at the Curtis Culwell Center, with championship glory on the line.
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DOWN TO THE WIRE: Previewing a critical UIL VB State Semis matchup -- Bellville vs. Davenport
Let's just get right into it.
On one of the court, you have the Bellville Brahmas who are enjoying one of the most exemplary seasons they've seen in recent years, from a statistical stand-point -- currently touting a record of 43-5.
Coach Susan Brewer's squad is no stranger to this stage, given that they reached this point in 2022, before falling to eventual State Runner-Up Aubrey.
However, the Brahmanettes have displayed nothing less than sheer dominance throughout this postseason, as they have swept each opponent (FB Willowridge, Burnet, Livingston, and most recently Hargrave) up to this point.
In terms of star-power, take your pick between the likes of Bailey Scheerer (Jr. MB), Sydney McKay (High Point-signee), Rebecca Lucksinger (Jr. MB), Emmy Novicke (Sr. L), and Samantha Marik (Sr. OH).
Bellville is the traditional power in this match-up, having made State appearances in three of the last four years. But, they will have the ambition of claiming the program's first state title since 2005, when they were still in Class 3A.
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However, the new power has unquestionably been that of Davenport.
The reigning UIL-4A Champions picked up right where they left off last year, ranking among the top teams to come out of the San Antonio-area.
Similar to their opponent, the Wolves have been just as commanding entering the State Semis.
They have toppled Eastside EC (3-0), La Vernia (3-0), Calhoun (3-0), and Floresville (3-1) over the course of the past two weeks to make their way back to the Final-Four, improving their record to 39-8 in 2024.
Coach Taylour Toso's rotation has spread the wealth when it comes to overall stats.
In the offensive department, Emily Williams (311 kills) and McKaleigh Mattson (306 kills) run the table.
But if I were to pick an MVP for the team, it would be Alexis Dahl. As it stands, the junior setter has been all over the place, having registered 725 assists, 442 digs, and 267 kills on the year, making her a jack of all trades for Davenport.
Furthermore, Logan Strong (794 digs, 584 receptions), Dakota Hart (339 digs), and freshman Kylie Dahl (259 assists) round out what could be the most balanced crew in the state.
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There's no room for error at this stage, and fans should be in for a show when these two power-programs face off Tuesday night (6:00 pm) at the Austin Burger Center in Sunset Valley, TX.