…<\/p>\n
Few teams have been quite as captivating as Southlake Carroll in 2025. <\/p>\n
Refined by a daunting district slate featuring Byron Nelson and Keller \u2014 the former of which will be competing in the 6A-DI Final \u2014 the Dragons have weathered this postseason storm with remarkable composure. Even more impressive is the fact that they\u2019ve done so while sweeping every opponent in their path, most recently overpowering a red-hot Tomball squad last Saturday.<\/p>\n
Suffice it to say, Southlake Carroll (34\u20135) has more than earned its place in this week\u2019s championship. Under third-year coach Leslie Jackson, this moment represents the program\u2019s first trip to the UIL State Final since 1998 \u2014 and only its third State Tournament berth overall, the last coming in 2013.<\/p>\n
The primary weapon for Jackson\u2019s senior-laden roster is undoubtedly Layla Austin. Dominating from the pin, Austin (a San Diego State-signee) has remarkably compiled the same number of kills and digs \u2014 468 apiece \u2014 leading the Dragons in both categories. <\/p>\n
Joining her in the front row are TCU-bound middle Kinsley Young and fellow senior outside hitter Teddy-Raye Ewers (Incarnate Word). Young, the defending 4-6A Blocker of the Year, has stacked well over 300 kills and 100 blocks this fall, while Ewers has contributed an additional 241 kills and 255 digs.<\/p>\n
Carroll is just as disciplined on the back line, anchored by veterans such as DS Lauren St. Charles (Trinity), who has collected more than 400 digs, and setter Emma Eyster (Oklahoma Christian), whose near-700 assists have orchestrated the attack. Freshman Mariel Elizondo is also expected to play a pivotal role as she approaches the 500-assist mark in her debut season.<\/p>\n
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Where Southlake Carroll\u2019s run has been defined by sheer force, Austin\u2019s journey has been shaped by a battle of wills. That contrast came into sharp focus last Saturday at Houston ISD\u2019s Delmar Fieldhouse, when the Maroons rallied from a 2\u20130 deficit against Tompkins to complete a dramatic reverse sweep.<\/p>\n
That kind of resilience in the season\u2019s most critical moments speaks volumes about the mentality head coach Kiley Woods and her staff have instilled in the program\u2019s DNA. Moreover, it now gives Austin (41\u20136) an opportunity to pursue its second State crown, pairing with the 5A title the school captured in 1992.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s no secret who the stars of the show are. USC-bound senior Riley Malloy has been virtually unstoppable throughout her decorated career. Standing 6-foot-5, Malloy blends size, intensity, and intuition \u2014 plus a wicked serve \u2014 and it\u2019s no surprise she\u2019s amassed well over 500 kills, 500 receptions, and 300 digs this fall.<\/p>\n
Alongside her is junior middle Camille Presley, a Texas commit, who has supplied 244 kills and a team-leading 102 blocks. Arkansas signee Maggie McCarroll (Sr., S\/RS) adds another dimension entirely, proving she can do it all with 702 assists and 272 kills to her name.<\/p>\n
Defensively, the Maroons are just as sensational. When opponents struggle to land clean swings, junior libero Laven Blumoff \u2014 a Denver commit \u2014 is usually the reason, having registered 420 digs in 2025. Another vital presence is junior setter Nora Bettis, an understated offensive orchestrator with more than 500 assists.<\/p>\n
By night\u2019s end, either Southlake Carroll or Austin will finally grasp a championship that\u2019s eluded both for decades. And given the contrast in their journeys \u2014 one forged through dominance, the other in defiant resilience \u2014 the title will soon belong to whichever side best channels the qualities that brought them this far.<\/p>\n
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…<\/p>\n