Boyd Outlasts Paradise in an Emotional Championship Edition of the Battle of 114
CHICO, Texas — In one of the most electric matches in recent memory, the Boyd Lady Jackets punched their ticket to the UIL Class 3A state semifinals after surviving a five-set battle against their fiercest rival, the Paradise Lady Panthers, on Tuesday night at a completely packed Chico High School neutral site.
Boyd (34–9) captured the Division II Region II Championship with set scores of (25–20), (25–22), (25–27), (22–25), (15–13), extending their dominance in the “Battle of 114” while sealing a bittersweet victory for longtime head coach Clark Oberle, who will retire at the end of the season. Paradise (31–14) left everything on the court, nearly flipping the script in the rivalry that has defined Wise County volleyball for years.
“It was exhausting, but I’m so proud of how they fought,” said Oberle after the win. “We had to battle through adversity in sets three and four, and the way they came through under so much pressure was incredible. I told them, ‘Get the negativity out. Be positive or we don’t have a chance.’ Then little freshman Bayleigh Medlock went back and served us home. It was incredible.”
Boyd opened the night on fire, riding senior leadership from outside hitter Addy Delgado (#15) and libero Bryleigh Wallace (#12) to take the first two sets. Delgado racked up an estimated 24 kills, including a pair of back-to-back rockets that sealed the second set. Wallace anchored the defense with over 30 digs and multiple big saves, keeping rallies alive with diving saves that frustrated the Panthers’ attack.
The Paradise Panthers clawed their way back in the third, fueled by junior outside hitter Ayla Morrison (#5) and sophomore hitter Brooke Limbaugh (#7). Morrison’s quick kills down the line and Limbaugh’s back-to-back explosive hits helped the Panthers take the third set 27–25. The comeback momentum carried into the fourth, where Paradise leaned on its depth and sheer determination. Senior middle hitter Ady Stoltz (#1) and sophomore defensive specialist Mackey McQueen (#3) provided key defensive stops as the Panthers edged out Boyd 25–22 to tie the match at two sets apiece.
The decisive fifth set was everything a rivalry finale should be: loud, tense, and heart-stopping. Paradise jumped to a 7–4 lead after back-to-back kills from Stoltz and Morrison, but Boyd refused to break. A timeout from Oberle calmed the Lady Jackets, who stormed back behind a serving run from Medlock (#8) and consecutive kills by Delgado. With the score tied at 13, middle blocker Annabelle Nichter (#14) stuffed a Paradise spike at the net to give Boyd match point. With Boyd serving on the final play, Paradise lunged for a desperate dig attempt, but the ball sailed untouched to the floor for Medlock’s walkoff ace, sending the Boyd bench into a frenzy.
“I just wanted to leave it all out there,” said senior libero Wallace. “Every set mattered. We couldn’t let the energy drop. We wanted this for Coach O—for his last run with us.”
Delgado echoed the emotion, smiling through with a raspy voice, “As a senior, this means everything… To beat Paradise and move on with this group, there’s no better feeling… We’ve worked for this all season, now it’s time to finish what we started and keep our focus on the next match.”
For Oberle, the win carried special meaning. “To see these girls overcome like that, it’s everything you coach for,” he said. “This one’s for our seniors and for Boyd.”
Boyd Athletic Director Shawn Sparks said the win represents more than just a trip to state. “It’s huge for the whole school,” Sparks said. “When one program wins, it lifts the whole community. Football, volleyball, basketball… it all builds off each other. The energy right now in Boyd is special.”
With the victory, Boyd advances to the UIL Class 3A state semifinals and will face Wall in a neutral-site playoff match on Saturday, Nov. 15. Game time and location are still to be determined. Paradise finishes its season as the Division II Region II runner-up, a run that cements its growth and grit.
Box Score
| Set | Boyd | Paradise |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 | 20 |
| 2 | 25 | 22 |
| 3 | 25 | 27 |
| 4 | 22 | 25 |
| 5 | 15 | 13 |
| Final | 3 | 2 |
Top Performers
Boyd Lady Jackets (34–9, 12–0 District)
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Addy Delgado (#15, OH, Sr.) – 24 Kills, 3 Blocks
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Bryleigh Wallace (#12, L, Sr.) – 37 Digs, 85% Serves Received
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Annabelle Nichter (#14, MB, Sr.) – 19 Kills, 4 Blocks
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Bayleigh Medlock (#8, MB, Fr.) – 6 Kills
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Coach Clark Oberle: “They just kept holding it together. That’s what champions do.”
Paradise Lady Panthers (31–14, 7–5 District)
Autumn Proctor (#9, OH, So.) – 32 Kills, 14 Digs,
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Ayla Morrison (#5, OH, Jr.) – 15 Kills,
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Brooke Limbaugh (#7, OH, So.) – 13 Kills,
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Ady Stoltz (#1, MH, Sr.) – 8 Kills, 2 Blocks,
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Mackey McQueen (#3, L/DS, So.) – 16 Digs
Stats and in-game details are based on live, in-game estimates and the on-scene reporting of a courtside photographer.