By Kevin Lonnquist
NTX Varsity Sports Columnist
When it comes to the postseason, there are two truisms competitors must accept.
First, there is the exultation following a win to keep the season alive. Second, there is the devastation experienced when the season ends with a loss.
There is not an in between. Joyfulness and cruelness sit in the same room waiting their turn.
As the UIL state volleyball playoffs begin on Thursday, the NTX Varsity Sports coverage area features several programs beginning what they hope will be deep playoff runs. Should they catch some breaks, it could mean a trip to the state championships Nov. 20-22 at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland.
They are by classification: Weatherford (6A), Aledo and Cleburne (5A), Krum, Eagle Mountain, Decatur, Springtown, Graham and Glen Rose (4A), Paradise, Boyd and Malakoff (3A) and Mildred (2A).
This is the second year of the format change. Prior to the 2024 season, the UIL used enrollment figures to split the postseason for the other team sports into Division I and Division II brackets. It eliminated the regional quarterfinal round and transitioned to the traditional six-round championship format.
As several area teams learned last fall, they had to find a separate neutral location to play their state semifinal matches.
With that explained, it’s time to forecast the area programs which have the best chance to hoist the hardware.
Aledo (37-2, Class 5A Division I): This program advanced to the state 2024 state semifinals and has the corps to make another deep run. The District 5-5A champions and top-ranked Class 5A team will take a 35-match district winning streak into 2026. That’s when Aledo likely will transition up to a Class 6A school. But for now, the LadyCats have work to do. Maybe Colleyville Heritage pushes them in opening round match on Thursday. Advance and Aledo is likely on another collision course with No. 5 Amarillo in the regional semifinals. That can go either way. Win that and Aledo can see the state semifinals.
Decatur (37-9, Class 4A Division I): The Lady Eagles are making a bid to repeat as state champions. District 7-4A may be the best 4A volleyball district in the state between Decatur, Springtown and Eagle Mountain. The latter two you will read about below. Now, it’s hard to believe that one could be worried about the state’s No. 6 team. But the Lady Eagles struggled to finish the regular season. They were swept by Eagle Mountain in the finale and then swept by Springtown in the District 7-4A seed playoff match. And prior to those matches, they needed five sets to win at Krum. However, Decatur can reach the Region I finals and perhaps a fourth meeting with Springtown in the regional finals. Decatur opens with Southwest on Thursday. Just watch a possible tricky matchup with Stephenville in the area round.
Springtown (40-9, Class 4A Division I): The Lady Pines put together a historic regular season. A single season record for wins. This program took a big step when it took two of three against Decatur this season including that playoff seed match. This isn’t a very tall team. But Springtown knows how to play together. Like Decatur, the Lady Pines should be in position to at least advance to the Region I semifinals and then that possible meeting with Decatur in the finals. Should that happen, then someone from this district is off to the state semifinals. The Lady Pines open Thursday with Eastern Hills.
Eagle Mountain (32-11, Class 4A Division II): Consider that the true 4A Division II state championship game could be in the Region I area round. That’s when we could see the No. 5 Lady Knights take on No. 1 Lubbock Liberty. Now, each needs to win playoff openers Thursday to create the matchup. Eagle Mountain faces Dunbar. But whoever wins Eagle Mountain- Liberty is pretty much on its way to the state semifinals. The rest of the bracket opens. Eagle Mountain’s record may not look as fancy because it took some hits early in the season playing up in competition.
Boyd (30-9, Class 3A Division II): For the No. 10 Lady Jackets to return to the state finals, they must once again navigate a demanding Region II. That bracket includes No. 3 Chisum. Boyd faces Trinity Leadership on Thursday. Then the area round looms and the possible meeting with Chisum. The rest of this region will provide some potholes. Still, everything would be doable if Boyd is fortunate to move into the regional semifinals.
All Saints (TAPPS 24-5): With Mary Schindler coming over from Tarleton State to take over this fall, the 2024 TAPPS champions did not lose their winning ways. They’re just a different team, of course. But when coach and team got to know each other, each side got better as the season progressed. The Lady Saints shared the TAPPS 5A District 1 title with Southwest Christian and won the second meeting with the Lady Eagles. However, All Saints has the second seed. Southwest Christian has the tiebreaker. At this point, it’s hard to evaluate chances since there is work to do with other TAPPS districts. Postseason brackets have not been set. Still, All Saints’ tradition speaks for itself.
Enjoy the spikes, digs and heart-stopping rallies throughout the next three weeks.