By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal

GARLAND – Decatur shook off a first-set loss Friday at the Curtis Culwell Center after storming out to a 9–0 lead and roared back to defeat La Vernia 19–25, 25–20, 25–18, 26–24 in the Class 4A Division I state championship, securing the program’s first state title since 2014.

The game’s most valuable player Ava Green was unstoppable, delivering 18 kills on 51 swings with two blocks and 19 total points while anchoring a Decatur offense that grew more efficient as the match progressed. After hitting just .083 in the opening frame, the Eagles rebounded with .179, .235 and .167 to finish with 50 total kills.

Setter Grace Fortune steered the attack with 40 assists, and libero Hope Escobar turned in a standout defensive showing with 30 digs and a perfect 15-for-15 night in serve-receive. Sayler Peck (9 kills, .286) and Gracelyn Byford (10 kills, .308) added key scoring depth as Decatur (42–7) controlled the final three sets.

La Vernia (43–10) was led by Paisley Pavliska with 17 kills and 23 digs, while Avery Keck added 14 kills. But 33 attack errors and a .078 hitting mark proved too much to overcome despite a strong defensive effort that included 10 total blocks.

Class 3A Division I: : Goliad claims first state championship since 2017

Goliad delivered one of the most efficient performances of championship week, sweeping defending state champion Bushland 25–22, 25–18, 25–16 to claim its first state title since 2017 and third overall.

The Tigers (44–3) were nearly flawless offensively, hitting .410 with just five attack errors. MVP Addison Yendrey dominated with 20 kills on .487 hitting and 11 digs, while setter Isabel Sanchez handed out 37 assists and hit .438 in a match she completely controlled.

Maevyn Wunsch added seven kills, Kinlee Weiser contributed five more at .500 hitting, and Goliad posted six total blocks. The Tigers’ third set — 19 kills with no errors — was one of the most impressive statistical frames of the entire tournament.

Bushland (40–9) was led by Berklee Billington’s 18 kills and libero Ava Permenter’s 17 digs, but the Falcons’ .231 hitting wasn’t enough against Goliad’s relentless efficiency.

Class 3A Division II: Boyd sweeps Clifton with dominant performance

Boyd captured the program’s first state championship in school history, sweeping Clifton 25–23, 25–21, 25–10 behind a dominant showing from MVP Addy Delgado, who delivered a match-high 15 kills.

The Yellowjackets (36–9) hit .214 for the match but put on a show in the final set with a .361 clip to close the door. Bayleigh Medlock added seven kills (.400), and Annabelle Nichter chipped in seven more in a balanced attack.

Setter Cami McIntire tallied 29 assists, and libero Bryleigh Wallace anchored the defense with 18 digs. Boyd also controlled the net with four total blocks while holding Clifton to just .054 hitting.

Clifton (42–7) saw contributions from Brystel Wise and Taliyha Davenport, but the Cubs struggled to find rhythm offensively as Boyd pulled away late in each frame.

Team of the Day: Decatur

Decatur delivered the most complete, resilient and high-level performance of Friday’s championship slate, rallying from an opening-set loss after taking a 9-0 lead to take down La Vernia and capture the Class 4A Division I state title, the program’s first crown since 2014.

Player of the Day: Addison Yendrey, Goliad

Junior outside hitter Addison Yendrey delivered the most dominant individual performance of Friday, powering the Tigers to the Class 3A Division I state title with 20 kills on a .487 hitting percentage while adding 11 digs in a complete two-way effort. Yendrey controlled the match from the opening set and proved unstoppable at the net, leading Goliad to its first state championship since 2017 and securing game most valuable player honors.

Friday’s top performers

Lilli Sandoval, Wimberley: 12 kills, 24 digs, 1.000 serve-receive percentage.

Ava Green, Decatur*: 18 kills, 19 total points, 2 blocks.

Addy Delgado, Boyd*: 15 kills, led Yellowjackets to first state championship.

Keoni Williams, Eagle Mountain: 13 kills (.571 hitting percentage), 13.5 total points

Molly Aubert, Eagle Mountain*: 44 assists, 12 digs, 1 block assist.

Trinity Laney, Wimberley: 14 kills, 26 digs, 1 block assist

Brooke Lacewell, Eagle Mountain: 11 kills (.296 hitting percentage), 13 digs, 3 block assists

Berklee Billington, Bushland: 18 kills, strong offensive output in title match

Paisley Pavliska, La Vernia: 17 kills, 23 digs, standout effort in four-set battle

Hope Escobar, Decatur: 30 digs, perfect 15-for-15 serve-receive performance

* indicates game’s most valuable player