The road to Garland is officially paved.
After a full weekend of semifinal action at neutral sites across Texas, the championship matchups are set in every classification — from 1A through 6A. Some teams rolled, some survived, and a few delivered the kind of drama that makes this one of the best high school tournaments in the state.
But the headline belongs to 6A Division I, where the nation’s No. 1 team remained undefeated and a Houston-area challenger earned its shot at history.
6A Division I: Byron Nelson Powers Through
I was in Haltom City on Saturday afternoon at the Richland High School Coliseum (Birdville ISD), one of the UIL’s designated neutral semifinal sites for Region I vs. Region II. That’s where the Byron Nelson Bobcats continued their perfect season with a straight-set sweep of the Cypress Ranch Mustangs:
25–19, 25–23, 25–16
Set Two was the turning point. Cypress Ranch had all the momentum late — holding a 23–19 advantage — and the gym felt like the Mustangs were poised to even the match at one set apiece. But then Byron Nelson did what elite, undefeated teams do: they slammed the door.
The Bobcats reeled off a string of unanswered points, ripped the set away 25–23, and never looked back.
From there, the energy shifted entirely. Set Three felt less like a battle and more like a coronation as Byron Nelson closed out the sweep with total command.
Across the bracket, Pearland Dawson survived an emotional, back-and-forth five-set fight with San Antonio O’Connor — and they did it under far tougher conditions than the scoreline shows.
The match was played at the Blossom Athletic Center in San Antonio, essentially in O’Connor’s backyard. Dawson had to travel; O’Connor didn’t. The home-area crowd heavily favored the Panthers, and it was far easier for their fans to fill the gym than it was for Dawson supporters to make the trip.
In other words, Dawson had more than just an opponent to overcome — but they did, rallying from a 2–1 deficit to win 25–22 in Set 4 and 16–14 in a wild Set 5.
And just like that, the biggest championship in Texas high school volleyball is now set:
🏆 Class 6A Division I State Championship
- Byron Nelson (41–0) vs. Pearland Dawson (42–4)
- Saturday, 4 p.m. — Curtis Culwell Center (Garland)
6A Division II: Austin High vs. Southlake Carroll
🏆 Class 6A Division II State Championship
- Austin High (41–6) vs. Southlake Carroll (34–5)
- Saturday, 6 p.m.
Austin brings size and firepower. Carroll brings depth and playoff experience. Expect a high-level chess match.
5A State Finals
🏆 Class 5A Division I
- A&M Consolidated (37–9) vs. Highland Park (42–8)
- Saturday, 11 a.m.
🏆 Class 5A Division II
- Cedar Park (38–12) vs. Argyle (38–3)
- Saturday, 1 p.m.
Argyle’s 38–3 record jumps off the page, but Cedar Park is battle-tested and has already survived multiple tough matches.
4A State Finals
🏆 Class 4A Division I
- La Vernia (43–9) vs. Decatur (41–7)
- Friday, 4 p.m.
Decatur is one of the most storied mid-class programs in Texas volleyball. La Vernia’s run this season has been as steady as any team in the bracket.
🏆 Class 4A Division II
- Wimberley (46–5) vs. Eagle Mountain (37–11)
- Friday, 6 p.m.
Wimberley enters the finals with a dominant 46 wins — a number you almost never see in 4A.
3A State Finals
🏆 Class 3A Division I
- Goliad (43–3) vs. Bushland (41–7)
- Friday, 11 a.m.
Two heavyweight programs with deep playoff résumés. This might be the best non-6A matchup of the weekend.
🏆 Class 3A Division II
- Clifton (42–6) vs. Boyd (35–9)
- Friday, 1 p.m.
Clifton has been ruthless all postseason. Boyd has been quietly climbing and is more dangerous than their seed suggests.
2A State Finals
🏆 Class 2A Division I
- Jewett Leon (34–8) vs. Nocona (34–13)
- Thursday, 5 p.m.
🏆 Class 2A Division II
- Iola (47–5) vs. Crawford (32–15)
- Thursday, 7 p.m.
1A State Final
🏆 Class 1A
- Blum (29–19) vs. Water Valley (25–14)
- Thursday, 3 p.m.
Final Thought
Whether you love the star power of the 6A giants or the grit of the 1A and 2A squads, championship weekend at the Curtis Culwell Center is always a showcase of talent, emotion, and everything great about Texas high school volleyball.
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