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THE PINNACLE: 2025 UIL Volleyball State Finals Preview -- Dawson vs. Byron Nelson (6A-D1)
WHERE: Curtis Culwell Center -- Garland, TX
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE UIL VOLLEYBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS BRACKETS/RESULTS
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The Dawson Eagles moments after their 3-0 victory over Seven Lakes in the Region III Final (11/11/2025)Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
Not much more can be said about Dawson and the unprecedented trail blazed by coach Lauren Leth’s squad. In their first appearance on the UIL Final Four stage last Saturday, the Eagles left everything on the floor at HISD’s Delmar Fieldhouse, battling point for point before ultimately outlasting San Antonio powerhouse O’Connor in a five-set masterpiece.
Improving to 42–4 on the year, Dawson has already etched its name into the history books by reaching the State Final. But the job isn’t finished yet.
The Eagles have been emboldened by several factors throughout the fall, none more prominent than their rallying anthem, “#WaitForIt.” Borrowed from the song of the same name in the musical Hamilton, the phrase has served as a unifying mantra dating back to the early days of training, according to senior libero Jenna Thedford.
Speaking of Thedford, on a roster brimming with alphas, she continues to stand out as the team’s catalyst, motivator, and on-court extension of the coach. The Texas A&M-signee is on pace to eclipse 700 digs this season, though she has already cemented her status as a Dawson legend.
Meanwhile, senior pin hitter Avery Koonsen (SFA-signee) has kept her foot on the gas, providing an extra spark for the Eagles with 529 kills and 328 digs. The attack is further bolstered by seniors MH Keaton Points (San Francisco) and OH Sloane Ranney (Grand Canyon University), who have combined for nearly 500 additional kills.
At the helm of the offense is Sloane’s sister, Taylor Ranney, also GCU-bound, delivering 750 assists from the setter spot, alongside freshman phenom Alexa Koonsen, who has added 460 assists of her own.
Gold is the goal — but Dawson’s toughest challenge yet still looms.
The Byron Nelson Bobcats following their 2024 UIL 6A-D2 State Championship acquisition at the Culwell Center (11/23/2024)Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
Byron Nelson (41–0), the No. 1-ranked team in Texas (MaxPreps) — and in the nation — has certainly lived up to the distinction. That comes as little surprise, considering the Trophy Club tyrants retained the entirety of last year’s 6A-D2 State Championship roster. Following their sweep of Cypress Ranch last weekend, the Bobcats advance to the Final riding an astonishing 77-game winning streak that stretches back to August 2024.
Head coach Brianne Groth’s all-star cast features not one, but two punishing forces on the pins in seniors Ashlyn “AJ” Seay (Rice signee) and Kylie Kleckner (Washington). The momentum this dynamic duo generates has proven virtually unstoppable, with both Seay and Kleckner amassing over 500 kills and 350 digs apiece this fall.
Orchestrating the attack is junior Sophee Peterson, a Texas A&M commit, who has excelled from the setter position with a staggering 1,459 assists. Add junior DS Savannah Sterna, who leads the team with 409 digs, and you have one of the most well-rounded units in the state.
Byron Nelson now sits just three set victories away from capturing the program’s third UIL title.
This matchup promises a true Clash of the Titans, as Dawson, with its grit and resilience, takes on the defending champions Byron Nelson, whose dominance and depth have defined 6A-D1 volleyball this season. Saturday’s showdown at the Culwell Center is set to be a battle worthy of the stakes and the hype, with history and glory hanging in the balance.
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CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE UIL VOLLEYBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS BRACKETS/RESULTS
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The Byron Nelson Bobcats join in the celebration with their fan-section
BEST IN THE BUSINESS: Byron Nelson lives up to No.1 ranking, cruises to a UIL Championship
Said run earned the Brianne Groth-led team the distinction of being ranked as the No. 1 team, not only in Texas, but in the entire country.
Despite the lofty accolades, this Byron Nelson squad refused to let the outside noise impede them from achieving their ultimate goal.
"When we first got the rating, coach Groth told us it was 'rat-poison'," said senior Sydnee Peterson amidst a laugh. "That was a fair assessment, because it's really easy to get complacent at this level. I think she (Groth) did a really good job of keeping our minds right. It was awesome to be recognized like that, but we just focused on what we could accomplish."
What exactly did they "accomplish"?
The beasts of Northwest ISD performed to the exact level that was expected, and swept Stratford to claim the program's first State Title since 2019, and second overall.
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
"It was the classiness in which this group composed themselves that impressed me the most," said head coach Groth. "I think their growth dates back to last year. We had several pieces back and I felt that they were going to be special when they battled in our Hawaii tournament.
"It was at that point when we all thought 'we're going to do this thing'. Something that we preach is getting one-percent better with each match we have, and I think that we did that throughout the season. Fortunately, we were able to play our best when it really mattered in the playoffs."
When it comes to the their "best", it doesn't get much better than junior outside hitter Kylie Kleckner.
The Washington-commit was simply too much to handle for a formidable Stratford defense, as she registered 23 kills on the night, while also providing 9 digs and 2 assists, earning herself State MVP honors.
Junior Kylie Kleckner receives the 2024 UIL-6A-D2 State MVP AwardMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
Although she garnered that distinction, for good reason, Kleckner remained humble.
"It was cool to hear my name be announced like that, but I really couldn't have done it without my teammates," Kleckner said. "Everything came together -- from our defense, to Sophee (Peterson) setting me up, and the overall balance we have. Everyone on this team can contribute, so it's really not my award...it's their's."
She isn't wrong, as there were numerous other individuals who left their mark on the court during Saturday's Final.
As Kleckner mentioned, Sophee Peterson (So. S) played a pivotal role, delivering 42 assists and 13 digs against the Spartans, while Rice-commit Ashlyn Seay (20 kills, 9 digs), Sydnee Peterson (7 kills, 1 dig), and Kaitlyn Francis (8 digs, 7 assists, 1 kill) buttoned up the remaining factors needed to clinch the Bobcats' remarkable victory.
Byron Nelson fit the billing and then some. Now, they can revel in their championship, knowing that the critics were right.