COPPELL — Ahead of its toughest matchup of the playoffs, Trophy Club Byron Nelson experienced its most adversity.
Head coach Brianne Groth went on maternity leave earlier than expected this week, and assistant coach Chrissy Garcia took over.
It’s been a whirlwind couple of days, but Byron Nelson didn’t “bat an eye,” Garcia said, defeating Allen 3-0 on Friday night at Coppell in the Class 6A Division I regional semifinals.
In a showdown featuring two teams that reached last year’s final four, Byron Nelson showed why it’s the top-ranked team in the country. Outside hitter Kylie Kleckner, who is committed to Washington, led Byron Nelson (39-0) to keep its 75-match streak alive. Byron Nelson has the chance to make history as only the second team to win back-to-back titles in the UIL’s top classification while losing one match in the last two years.
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“Our kids have been here before, and I think that’s what ultimately came to our advantage,” Garcia said. “Just these kids and the adversity that they fought through this week, I think it just says a lot, and you can definitely see it in the match and our experience.”
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Allen (37-8), who before Friday had won 12 of its last 13 matches, competed without outside hitter Maya Ogbogu, who is playing for the U.S. under-17 national team in the NORCECA U17 Continental Championship in Costa Rica. Last year, the freshman All-American helped Allen make its first state semifinals appearance since 2006.
Although Allen didn’t have its star player on Friday, the team still challenged Byron Nelson the entire match.
They traded points most of the first set until Byron Nelson had a four-point run late, thanks to two kills from outside hitter Ashlyn Seay, forcing back-to-back Allen timeouts. Leading 24-21, Allen capitalized on Byron Nelson’s errors to pull within one. But Seay took over once again, recording another kill to win the set 25-23.
After Byron Nelson went on a seven-point tear to take an 11-6 lead, Allen responded. Opposite hitter Soleil Rhodes recorded three kills, while outside hitter Kennedy Crayton had pivotal digs to tie the score at 19.
But Byron Nelson relied on its veteran presence, namely Kleckner, who had two kills to put the powerhouse up 23-21.
“She’s so special to the team,” Garcia said. “I think she sees the game in a different way compared to most high school kids. I always tell her she should be a coach, you’re going to be a coach, because she’s so analytical and strategic. She fights.”
After Kleckner put Byron Nelson within a point, Seay finished it with a kill to win the second set 25-22.
As Byron Nelson attempted to run away with the third set, opposite hitter Olivia Kitur kept Allen in the match. She recorded two straight kills to bring Allen within three.
But Byron Nelson only ramped up its pressure, making it 16-10 and establishing a lead Allen couldn’t overcome. With Byron Nelson leading 21-15, Kleckner continued to be a problem, recording kill after kill to put the regional finals within sight. Seay recorded the final kill to take the third set 25-18.
Byron Nelson will play Plano East in the regional finals, which begin Monday.
“It’s playoffs so anything can happen,” Garcia said. “So it’s win this set, go to the next. I think we know that, so we’re gonna celebrate tonight and then focus and game plan for the regional finals because anything can happen.”
Plano East d. El Paso Eastlake, 28-26, 25-16, 28-26
Plano East (30-10) swept Eastlake on Friday, extending its winning streak to eight matches. Plano East is ranked ninth in The Dallas Morning News’ Class 6A area rankings and will face No. 1 Bryon Nelson in the regional finals. Eastlake had rallied after being down two sets to upset Keller on Tuesday.
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