By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal
GARLAND — Trophy Club Byron Nelson completed a perfect season and extended its winning streak to 78 straight matches, sweeping Pearland Dawson 25–18, 25–17, 25–19 to win the UIL Class 6A Division I state championship Saturday at the Curtis Culwell Center.
The Bobcats, ranked No. 1 in the nation, finished 42–0 in what stands as one of the most dominant seasons in Texas high school volleyball history.
Senior outside hitter Kylie Kleckner earned game most valuable player honors with 21 kills and 18 digs, while Ashlyn Seay added 11 kills and Sophee Peterson recorded 35 assists and 13 digs.
The victory also marked a milestone for head coach Brianne Groth, who coached the title match just 17 days after giving birth to twins on Nov. 5. Byron Nelson controlled the match at the net and in serve-receive, holding Dawson to .145 hitting and never trailing in the final two sets.
Class 5A Division I: Sarah Floyd leads Highland Park to 5A-I state title
In the earlier championship, Highland Park swept A&M Consolidated 25–18, 25–22, 25–17 to claim the UIL Class 5A Division I title behind a breakout performance from sophomore outside hitter Sarah Floyd, who was named game most valuable player after posting 14 kills on .414 hitting.
The Scots (43–8) controlled the match with a balanced attack with Brooklyn Bailey and Taylor Toomay adding nine kills each, while senior Allie Hudgins, who spent her first two seasons at Westlake, contributed 11 kills in the sweep.
Setter Anna Lee tallied 38 assists and libero Gigi Whann anchored the defense with 17 digs as Highland Park closed out each set with late scoring runs. A&M Consolidated (37–10) was led by Jillian Vinal and Harper Korenek, but the Tigers were unable to match Highland Park’s efficiency at the net.
Team of the Day: Trophy Club Byron Nelson
Trophy Club Byron Nelson completed a perfect 42–0 season and extending its winning streak to 78 straight matches with a sweep of Pearland Dawson to capture the Class 6A Division I state championship. The nation’s No. 1 team dominated at the net behind game most valuable player Kylie Kleckner and delivered a memorable moment for head coach Brianne Groth, who returned to the bench just 17 days after giving birth to twins on Nov. 5.
Player of the Day: Kylie Kleckner, Byron Nelson
Kleckner delivered the most dominant performance of championship Saturday, powering Byron Nelson to the Class 6A Division I state title with 21 kills, 18 digs and 22.5 total points. She controlled the match from start to finish and secured game most valuable player honors while leading the nation’s No. 1 team to a perfect 42–0 season and its 78th straight win.
Top Performers
Kylie Kleckner, Byron Nelson: 21 kills, 18 digs, 22.5 total points. Game most valuable player
Kinsley Young, Southlake Carroll: 22 kills (.306 hitting percentage), 26 digs, 28.5 total points. Game most valuable player
Sarah Floyd, Highland Park: 14 kills (.414 hitting percentage), 5 digs, 2 block assists. Game most valuable player
Joy Udoye, Cedar Park: 13 kills, 22 receptions, 7 digs. Game most valuable player
Maggie McCarroll, Austin: 15 kills (.371 hitting percentage), 14 digs, 17.5 total points
Allie Hudgins, Highland Park: 11 kills, 11 total points
Layla Austin, Southlake Carroll: 17 kills, 26 digs, 19.5 total points
Riley Malloy, Austin: 13 kills, 21 digs, strong six-rotation performance in five-set final
Audree Hughes, Southlake Carroll: 15 kills (.444 hitting percentage), 1 block assist, 15.5 total points
Brooklyn Bailey, Highland Park: 9 kills, steady scoring in championship sweep
Saturday’s coverage of the UIL volleyball championships brought to you by Terrytown Pharmacy.
