GARLAND, Texas — Boyd needed no late-set heroics this time. In a poised, physical and complete performance, the Lady Jackets swept Clifton 25–23, 25–21, 25–10 to claim the UIL Class 3A Division II State Championship on Friday afternoon at the Curtis Culwell Center.
Behind senior outside hitter Addy Delgado’s 15 kills, seven digs and an ace, Boyd (35–9) controlled every major momentum swing and delivered a long-awaited championship farewell for longtime head coach Clark Oberle, who announced his retirement earlier in the week.
“This team never flinched,” Oberle said. “They played together with no nerves and with total belief. As a coach, you can’t ask for a better way to finish.”
The title completed the mission Boyd began a year ago, when the Lady Jackets fell short in the 2024 state tournament, losing in the semifinals to eventual champion Gunter. The returning senior core made it clear throughout the season that the only acceptable ending was finishing what they started.
Delgado, who was named Match MVP, ends her career with 1,485 kills and a .297 hitting percentage, cementing her place among the program’s most dominant offensive players.
Senior libero Bryleigh Wallace, who delivered a match-high 27 digs, said the championship carried a deeper emotional weight after the heartbreak the team endured last year.
“I feel like all of our work has finally paid off,” Wallace said. “After losing last year, we told ourselves we were going to do this for our community and make history.”
SET ONE — Boyd Turns the Tide Late
Clifton (42–7) opened sharply, building a 15–11 lead behind strong swings from outside hitter Brystel Wise and middle blocker Kendall Houser. But a Boyd timeout reset the Lady Jackets’ rhythm. Wallace steadied the back row with a burst of six digs, and the momentum began to tilt.
Delgado and senior middle Annabelle Nichter delivered key kills during a 14–8 closing run, and Boyd stole the set 25–23 on a defensive stand capped by an emphatic kill from Jalynn Starnes.
SET TWO — Jackets Absorb Every Counterpunch
Set two unfolded as a display of veteran poise and long rallies. Clifton’s outside hitter Taliyha Davenport fueled an 8–6 lead early, but Boyd answered with a composed five-point stretch behind setter Cami McIntire, who finished with 29 assists.
Nichter and senior right-side Bayleigh Medlock combined for two critical blocks that slowed Clifton’s tempo and forced the Lady Cubs into off-speed swings.
Delgado ended the set with authority—her 11th kill gave Boyd set point, and an ace on the very next serve sealed a 25–21 win.
Athletic director Shawn Sparks praised the team’s balance and experience.
“Delgado was incredible, and Wallace had over 20 digs—and when the ball doesn’t hit the floor, you don’t lose,” Sparks said.
SET THREE — Mackie’s Serve Run Buries Clifton
The defining surge of the match came immediately in set three, when sophomore Ava Mackie delivered nine straight serves to push Boyd to an 8–0 grasp of the frame that Clifton never recovered from.
Oberle said the team had drilled specifically for the Lady Cubs’ resilience.
“I reminded them Clifton never quits,” he said. “We needed to jump on them early, and they executed the game plan perfectly.”
Delgado and Nichter hammered down five combined kills during the run, while Wallace added a highlight dig-kill that sent the Boyd bench into celebration. Starnes and McIntire added late kills, and McIntire’s final put-away closed out the championship at 25–10.
As the final point dropped, Oberle’s players swarmed him in an embrace that marked not only a season’s fulfillment, but the culmination of his career.
“I’ve been blessed,” he said. “I’m so proud this group finished it.”
BOX SCORE
Team Totals
| Team | Kills | Attempts | Attack % | Digs | Blocks | Aces | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boyd | 42 | 126 | .214 | 62 | 4 | 7 | 35 |
| Clifton | 24 | 112 | .054 | 60 | 3 | 3 | 24 |
Set Scores
| Set | Boyd | Clifton |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 | 23 |
| 2 | 25 | 21 |
| 3 | 25 | 10 |
Top Performers
Boyd Lady Jackets
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Addy Delgado (OH) — 15 kills, 7 digs, 1 ace
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Bryleigh Wallace (L) — 27 digs, 4 assists
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Annabelle Nichter (MB) — 7 kills, 4 blocks
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Bayleigh Medlock (RS) — 7 kills, .400 hitting
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Cami McIntire (S) — 29 assists, 3 blocks
Clifton Lady Cubs
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Brystel Wise (OH) — 8 kills, 13 digs
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Taliyha Davenport (OH) — 6 kills, .500 hitting
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Addison Martin (DS) — 11 digs, 3 kills
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Kendall Houser (MB) — .357 hitting, 2 blocks
Career Milestones
Bryleigh Wallace — Libero (Sr.)
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420 sets played
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2,557 career digs
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6.1 digs per set
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2,133 receptions
Addy Delgado — Outside Hitter (Sr.)
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1,485 kills
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842 digs
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93 blocks
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.297 career hitting percentage