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Whataburger Team of the Week: All eyes are now on surging Dawson Volleyball squad
For a program that’s made consistency its calling card, the Dawson Eagles are already setting a familiar tone in 2025—one built on execution and a competitive edge.
Since taking over in 2018, head coach Lauren Leth has crafted a culture that values the long haul. Her teams rarely just show up—they sustain. Formerly at Barbers Hill, Leth has guided Dawson to the postseason every year at the helm, extending what has become one of the most dependable playoff streaks in Texas volleyball.
That tradition doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
Coming off a 32-11 campaign in 2024, Dawson is off to a scorching 14-1 start this fall. The Eagles went unbeaten at the Houston Invitational and appear poised to make another statement at the upcoming Volleypalooza Tournament in Austin.
Their only blemish so far—a five-set battle with Cypress Ranch—was the kind of loss that reflects strength more than setback.
Along the way, the team has notched statement wins over the likes of Tompkins, Ridge Point, Seven Lakes, Cy-Fair, Deer Park. and most recently, College Park. And while the postseason is always part of the conversation, the immediate focus is on reclaiming the District 22-6A title—no small feat in a group that includes Pearland, Shadow Creek, Manvel, and Dobie.
On the court, senior leadership remains the backbone.
Jenna Thedford (Texas A&M-commit), Avery Koonsen (SFA), Keaton Points (University of San Francisco), Destiny Lyons (Temple College), Julia Wright, Isabella Tijerina, and Grand Canyon University-bound sisters Taylor and Sloane Ranney bring experience and presence at nearly every position.
There’s also promising youth on the roster, including freshman setter Alexa Koonsen—Avery’s younger sister—who’s already shown the poise and timing to contribute when her number is called.
Through the early stretch of the season, Dawson continues to play with the control and confidence of a team that knows who it is—and more importantly, what it’s capable of becoming.
THE RANKINGS: Thedford is "her" at No. 6 Pearland Dawson
PEARLAND DAWSON WENT 14-2 IN DISTRICT PLAY A YEAR AGO AND REACHED THE BI-DISTRICT ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS.
The Eagles are a perennial playoff program, no doubt about it. Over the past 16 seasons, Dawson has been in the dance, and this fall should be no different. Lauren Leth, who got her 400th career coaching victory in 2024, returns six starters to the squad.
Texas A&M-commit Jenna Thedford will lead the way for the Eagles, after being named the District 22-6A Defensive Player of the Year in 2024.
Additionally, the transfer of former Pearland star, Avery Koonsen (SFA-commit), just further bolsters this already stacked squad. Koonsen, a six-rotation outside hitter, earned first-team, all-district honors along with being GHVCA first-team in her most recent campaign.
Also watch out for a pair of GCU-Beach volleyball commits in Taylor Ranney and Sloane Ranney. The duo, a setter and outside hitter, respectively, both earned first-team, all-district honors.
Other key returners include first-teamer Keaton Points (middle hitter) and second-team selection Julia Wright (middle hitter).
For Leth, keys to success boil down to four words – cohesive, experience, dynamic and defensive.
This group will lean on a senior-laden class and a group that has played together since the seventh grade.
With a solid returning backline and an offense that will move and attack in every position, this team is primed for a deep run.































