Argyle Lady Eagles Advance to Volleyball State Final After Comeback Victory

FRISCO, Texas — The Argyle Lady Eagles celebrated a thrilling 3-1 comeback victory over Frisco Liberty in Saturday’s 5A Division II state semifinal at Prosper Rock Hill High School. This win propels Argyle to their fifth state final and first since a string of four consecutive 4A championship appearances from 2014 to 2017.

After dropping the first set 25-23, Argyle rebounded to win the next three sets 25-20, 25-21, and 25-12. Senior Hannah Baker played a crucial role in the victory, recording 14 kills with a hitting percentage of .344.

“Definitely fighting more and believing in ourselves,” said Baker when reflecting on the different mindset this year compared to last. “Last year when it went five sets, we were very down and didn’t think we could do it. This year, we put the first and second sets behind us and just knew we were going to work and we were going to win this one.”

With this win, the Lady Eagles improved their season record to 38-3, having now secured 17 consecutive victories. They will face Cedar Park (38-12) in the state final at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland.

Frisco Liberty ends their season with a record of 35-5 after making their first trip to the state semifinals this year. Argyle’s head coach Katelyn Johnson expressed pride in her team’s resilience. “It just says a lot about our kids and how hard they’re working,” Johnson said. “They were ready for the jump from 4A to 5A, and each year they’ve finished their season and come back hungry for just a little bit more.”

In a dramatic match, Argyle faced a persistent challenge, particularly during the first set where neither team held a significant lead. The momentum shifted after the first set, with Baker, along with standout players like Alexis Elsey and Betsy Zhang, leading the charge to victory.

Elsey ended the match with a team-high 17 kills, 15 digs, and three aces, while Zhang contributed 11 kills, 22 digs, and five blocks. Junior setter Karsyn Rogers had a double-double with 25 assists and 10 digs, directing the team’s play effectively.

“We just decided to play for each other and play for our coaches, who have put everything on the line for us,” Rogers said. “We just stayed humble, knowing they were going to get some good plays and so were we, and we just kept going.”

Argyle’s strategy throughout the playoffs has been to treat each match as just another round in the quest for glory. Johnson remains focused, saying, “We’re just trying to go win another playoff match.”