GARLAND, Texas — In only its second year of varsity athletics, Eagle Mountain completed one of the most remarkable ascents in recent UIL volleyball memory Friday night. The Lady Knights defeated defending state champion Wimberley 3–1 to claim the UIL Class 4A Division II State Championship at the Curtis Culwell Center.
Eagle Mountain won in four sets — 25–15, 25–20, 18–25, 25–18 — securing the first state championship of any kind in school history.
That history was written not only by the players on the court, but also by the architect on the sideline. Head coach Cat Foerster, who left powerhouse Decatur just two years ago to build a brand-new athletics program from scratch, fought back tears after the win.
“This one is a little more special,” Foerster said. “When you start from scratch — no history, no seniors, nothing established — and you grow something from the ground up, it feels different. This is our history now. These kids created something they can carry forever.”
Foerster’s leadership was evident in her team’s poise, physicality and belief, which carried the Knights (39–11) through the championship.
Aubert Orchestrates a Statement Performance
Junior setter Molly Aubert, named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, directed an offense that hit .271 and delivered 53 kills. She finished with 44 assists, 12 digs and an ace, controlling tempo during the Knights’ most important stretches.
After the final point, emotion overwhelmed her.
“I am just so incredibly grateful,” Aubert said. “This is the start of something like a legacy in our school. We worked so hard every day, and I hope this moment keeps the standard going. I would give MVP to the whole team if I could.”
SET ONE
Eagle Mountain opened the match with complete command at the net, using its size and defensive discipline to out-dig and out-block Wimberley throughout the first set.
Senior Keoni Williams, a 6-foot-4 Nebraska commit, set the tone early with powerful swings. She finished the night with 13 kills on .571 hitting and one solo block.
Sophomore outside hitter Madie Haney added 12 kills, frequently ending rallies during the opening two sets. Senior right side Brooke Lacewell, a Texas A&M commit, contributed 11 kills and three blocks while anchoring Eagle Mountain during long third-set rallies.
“This was my last game, and I wanted to go out swinging,” Lacewell said. “Coach Foerster pushed me to get the big kills when my team needed them. I just wanted to rack them up and help us finish this season the right way.”
SET TWO
Eagle Mountain’s size and ball control continued to frustrate Wimberley. The Knights’ block sealed seams, and their aggressive back-row coverage limited the Texans’ transition game.
The Knights claimed the second set 25–20, taking a 2–0 lead and complete control of the match.
SET THREE
The third set became Wimberley’s counterpunch. The Texans (46–7) surged behind freshman outside hitter Trinity Laney, who tallied 13 kills and an ace, and senior hitter Lilli Sandoval, who posted a team-high 12 kills.
Wimberley erased a late deficit to steal the frame 25–22, fueled by libero Ashton Shipman, who collected 26 digs and helped extend rally after rally.
The momentum appeared to swing, briefly.
SET FOUR
Eagle Mountain surged in set four, reclaiming control with its most dominant stretch of the match. Leading 9–8, Aubert engineered a decisive 9–0 run, feeding efficient transition swings to Williams, Lacewell and Avery Williams.
Middle blocker Rylinn Roberts punctuated the run and closed the night with 10 kills on .556 hitting.
Behind the run, the Knights sealed the title with a 25–18 finish — a defining sequence that underscored their growth, physicality and composure.
A Legacy Begins
Foerster credited her senior leaders, including Williams, Lacewell and libero Lexi Nichols, who recorded 17 digs and anchored a back row that posted a .918 reception rate.
“These girls are not done,” Foerster said. “They’re going to the next level and will continue to accomplish great things. I’m just proud to have been part of their journey.”
As the final point sealed the championship, the Lady Knights stormed the floor, celebrating a run defined by resilience, ball control and the birth of a rising UIL powerhouse.
History has officially begun at Eagle Mountain.
SET SCORES
| Set | Eagle Mountain | Wimberley |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 | 15 |
| 2 | 25 | 20 |
| 3 | 18 | 25 |
| 4 | 25 | 18 |
TEAM TOTALS
Eagle Mountain
-
Kills: 53
-
Errors: 18
-
Attacks: 129
-
Hitting %: .271
-
Assists: 51
-
Aces: 7
-
Digs: 67
-
Blocks: 8
Wimberley
-
Kills: 46
-
Errors: 30
-
Attacks: 147
-
Hitting %: .109
-
Assists: 43
-
Aces: 6
-
Digs: 82
-
Blocks: 8
TOP PERFORMERS
Eagle Mountain
-
Molly Aubert, S — 44 assists, 12 digs, 1 ace (MVP)
-
Keoni Williams, MB — 13 kills, .571 hitting
-
Madie Haney, OH — 12 kills, 8 digs
-
Brooke Lacewell, RS/OH — 11 kills, 3 blocks
-
Rylinn Roberts, MB/RS — 10 kills, .556 hitting, 3 blocks
-
Lexi Nichols, L — 17 digs, .944 reception
-
Avery Williams, OH — 5 kills, 7 digs
Wimberley
-
Trinity Laney, OH — 13 kills, 1 ace
-
Lilli Sandoval, OH — 12 kills, 24 digs
-
Ellen Watson, OH — 6 kills
-
Mariah McCoy, MH/OH — 7 kills
-
Ashton Shipman, L — 26 digs, .867 reception
-
Carson Peoples, S — 21 assists