By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal

Cedar Park has Liberty Hill’s number.

The Timberwolves (33-15) defeated the 2023 Class 5A state finalist for the third time this season, only this time it meant a little more.

Cedar Park played near flawless volleyball Friday to defeat the Panthers 25-19, 23-25, 25-16, 25-23 in the Class 5A Division II Region IV championship at the Toney Burger Center.

The Timberwolves return to the state semifinals for the first time since 2016 while denying Liberty Hill (41-9) a third straight trip to the Class 5A state semifinals.

“It feels so good to get this team back here,” said head coach Lori McLaughlin. “This community has been working so hard to get to this point, the girls bought in, my staff and I put everything we could to get them prepared for this game, and I couldn’t be prouder of them for all the things they did, and these girls. I mean, they’ve brought it every day in practice with everything we are doing. “

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Outside hitter Joy Udoye led the way like she’s done most of the season. The junior finished with a match-high 31 kills and 12 dig. Junior setter Katelyn Hughes also had a double double with a match-high 36 assists and 18 digs.

Both regular season matchups went the distance with Cedar Park wining both very close games. There were times Liberty Hill had Cedar Park on the ropes.

The Timberwolves had a late rally to win the first set. However, the Panthers middle defense of seniors Ava Kostroun and Evie Bruce led a charge to win the second set and even the match at two.

However, Cedar Park was a team on a mission and dominated the third set and held off a late Liberty Hill rally in the fourth to seal the  victory.

“That’s so hard to do, to beat a team like that three times, and to do it when it matters most, I hope it catapults us to keep our season going for the next two games,” McLaughlin said.