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THE PINNACLE: 2025 UIL Volleyball State Finals Preview -- Cedar Park vs. Argyle (5A-D2)
WHERE: Curtis Culwell Center -- Garland, TX
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE UIL VOLLEYBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS BRACKETS/RESULTS
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Picking up right where they left off a year ago, Cedar Park (38–12) is back on the brink of a championship. The Timberwolves stormed into the 5A-DII title game after a decisive sweep of Friendswood last Saturday, securing their second straight trip to Garland — and the program’s fourth overall since 2012.
Since taking over in 2019, head coach Lori McLaughlin has steadily molded Cedar Park into a perennial contender. With the entire starting rotation returning, the group enters Saturday’s state final playing with the assurance of a veteran unit that expected to be here. And after falling to Wakeland in last year’s match, the Timberwolves have been fueled all season by the chance to flip the script.
Some of the standouts for 2025-26 Cedar Park VolleyballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
That effort has been anchored by senior outside hitter and Stanford-signee Joy Udoye, the reigning District 25-5A MVP, who has piled up 568 kills and 358 digs while eclipsing 2,000 career kills earlier this month. Opposite her is Incarnate Word-signee Mya Cheatum, whose 411 kills and steady presence make her the Knuckles to Udoye’s Sonic — a power duo that has overwhelmed opponents on both pins.
Cedar Park’s system thrives on rhythm, and its two-setter operation of Katelyn Hughes and Sibley Oster remains a defining strength. Hughes, a Lamar-commit, enters the final with 806 assists and 425 digs, while Oster, headed to Cal State-Fullerton, has added another 572 assists, giving the Timberwolves enviable balance and continuity.
The supporting cast is just as seasoned. Junior DS Anna Kurz, last year’s District Newcomer of the Year, surpassed 1,000 career digs behind a remarkable 700-plus this fall. Senior middle Sienna Benavides provides backbone at the net, contributing 280 kills and a team-leading 124 blocks. Together, the group’s cohesion — more than any single statistic — is what has carried Cedar Park back to the dance.
But waiting on the other side is an Argyle squad built with a similarly experienced backbone and its own unfinished business.
The Eagles (38–3), led by head coach Katelyn Johnson, were also knocked out by Wakeland last fall — this time in the State Semifinals — and have spent the past year eyeing a return built on growth rather than resentment.
Mission accomplished. Argyle powered to its seventh Final Four appearance and punched its ticket with a 3–1 triumph over Liberty last weekend. Now, the Eagles chase the program’s second UIL State Championship, nine years removed from its 2015 title run in 4A.
Where Cedar Park leans on its firepower, Argyle’s calling card is its superb defensive foundation. Senior DS Teagan Barnett has followed up her first-team, all-district season by eclipsing 500 digs, serving as the anchor of a backline that rarely yields clean swings.
The Eagles also operate with a dynamic two-setter system, featuring junior first-teamer Karsyn Rogers — an Arizona State-commit — and sophomore Makenna Gregory, who together have amassed nearly 1,100 assists and 500 digs. Their tempo forces opponents into constant adjustments.
Offensively, Argyle spreads the wealth, essentially forcing opponents to pick their poison. Freshman phenom Alexis Elsey has emerged as the headliner, leading the team with 312 kills and 263 digs — putting District 6-5A Newcomer of the Year honors firmly within reach. Meanwhile, seniors Hannah Baker and Susanna Hodson (Oklahoma Christian) have flourished in expanded roles, each clearing the 200-kill mark with veteran poise.
Two programs with parallel motivations. But only one can be crowned this Saturday in Garland.
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CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE UIL VOLLEYBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS BRACKETS/RESULTS
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.