GARLAND, Texas — Decatur relied on senior leadership, postseason experience and a breakout performance from sophomore outside hitter Ava Green to secure the UIL Class 4A Division I state championship Friday at the Curtis Culwell Center.
The Lady Eagles defeated La Vernia 3–1, earning the program’s seventh state title and completing back-to-back championships for the third time.
Decatur has never lost a state final. That undefeated record remains intact.
The Lady Eagles (42–7) dropped the opening set 25–19. An early 8–0 lead evaporated behind La Vernia’s physical attack. Decatur responded with a composed and disciplined approach in the next three sets. The Lady Eagles won 25–20, 25–18 and 26–24 to close out the match.
“We knew they were going to come to play, and our girls did not get down,” head coach (FIRST NAME) Snider said. “I love them and I am so proud. They brought everything they had, and they never quit.”
Green delivered 17 kills and provided the strongest offensive presence on the floor. The sophomore’s late-set swings in both the third and fourth sets proved decisive.
“She does not give up,” Snider said. “Late in the match they made adjustments on her, but she kept working. I am so happy for her.”
Freshman outside hitter Gracelyn Byford added 10 kills on a .308 hitting percentage. Senior opposite Cadence Pavelka finished with nine kills and seven blocks, while junior opposite Anna Wren recorded seven kills and four blocks.
Senior setter Grace Fortune produced one of her most efficient outings of the season with 40 assists, 11 digs and two aces. Junior libero Hope Escobar anchored the back row with 16 digs.
SECOND SET — SHIFTING THE TEMPO
After losing the first set, Decatur used a quick rhythm adjustment from Fortune to regain control. Byford and Pavelka produced several key swings during a mid-set surge. Decatur finished the frame with a 25–20 win, evening the match and reestablishing its tempo.
THIRD SET — NET PRESSURE TAKES OVER
Decatur built a 9–3 lead early in the third set and continued to pressure La Vernia at the net. Pavelka and Wren provided valuable blocks, while Harper Smith added five kills. Escobar, Fortune and Lexie Miller steadied the defensive rotation.
La Vernia stayed within striking distance behind senior outside hitter Paisley Pavliska, who totaled 17 kills, seven digs and two aces. Senior outside Avery Keck contributed 14 kills and 14 digs.
Decatur’s balanced attack and defensive consistency guided a 25–18 win and a 2–1 match advantage.
FOURTH SET — GREEN FINISHES THE JOB
La Vernia opened the fourth set with a 12–8 lead before Decatur responded. Green delivered several high-impact kills, and Pavelka added a momentum-shifting block that cut the deficit to one. Byford added her eighth kill of the match as the Eagles surged.
Decatur tied the set at 14–14 and continued to counter every La Vernia push. Pavelka’s eighth kill tied the frame again at 22–22. Green followed with her 17th kill for a 24–22 advantage.
La Vernia forced a 24–24 tie, but Decatur closed the frame with clean passing and two final swings. Fortune found Byford on an outside attack to earn match point, and Green delivered the final kill for a 26–24 finish.
The winning point sent the Lady Eagles into celebration as they captured their seventh state championship.
Athletic director Steve Huff said the moment carried personal significance.
“It is special,” Huff said. “My daughter is a senior, and to be part of two of these is incredible. It is great for our community. You can see how many people made the trip to support them.”
When asked about pursuing a three-peat next season, Snider didn’t hesitate.
“We keep working,” she said. “We enjoy this, but we know nothing is given.”
SET SCORES
| Set | Decatur | La Vernia |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 19 | 25 |
| 2 | 25 | 20 |
| 3 | 25 | 18 |
| 4 | 26 | 24 |
TEAM TOTALS
| Team | K | E | TA | Hit% | Ast | SA | Digs | Blks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur | 50 | 24 | 158 | .165 | 46 | 5 | 65 | 9 |
| La Vernia | 45 | 33 | 154 | .078 | 43 | 6 | 73 | 10 |
TOP PERFORMERS
Decatur
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Ava Green (So.) — 18 kills, 2 blocks
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Gracelyn Byford (Fr.) — 10 kills, .308 hitting, 2 blocks
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Cadence Pavelka (Sr.) — 9 kills, 7 blocks, 3 digs
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Anna Wren (Jr.) — 7 kills, 4 blocks
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Grace Fortune (Sr.) — 40 assists, 11 digs, 2 aces
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Hope Escobar (Jr.) — 16 digs, 5 assists
La Vernia
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Paisley Pavliska — 17 kills, 7 digs, 2 aces
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Avery Keck — 14 kills, 14 digs, 2 aces
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Emily Kosub — 4 kills, 4 blocks
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Addison Lundin — 4 kills, 4 blocks
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Karis Carpenter — 20 digs, 7 assists
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Madelynn Nagelmueller — 18 assists, 11 digs