In front a capacity crowd at the West Texas Fieldhouse, better known as “The Box”, the Randall Lady Raiders advanced to the state semifinals for a third straight year thanks to sweeping rival Canyon 25-18, 25-23, 25-21, Thursday night in a Region I-4A Division II championship clash.

Randall takes the rubber match after the two Canyon ISD rivals split the season series during the regular season.

Randall (31-13) now advances to the UIL Class 4A Division II state semifinals to take on the Pleasant Grove-Aubrey winner at a time and place to be determined.

“This is amazing,” said first-year head coach Karli Morrison, who will coach in her first state semifinal in 15 years as a head coach. “It’s been a long journey to get here. This team is so special. We weren’t ready for this to end. We showed the culture at Randall and everyone being a part of being something bigger than you.”

Randall used the energy of a standing room only crowd to take an early 1-0 lead. Canyon had the advantage in the second set until the Lady Raiders stole the momentum which turned the match by taking the second set for a commanding 2-0 lead.

“We wanted to just control us,” Morrison said. “We were taking big risks and with that we were making errors. We were able to respond well and passed better and got going on both sides.”

Passing the ball is what Randall does best behind one of the top setters in the state of Texas. Senior Sidney Soria kept the Lady Eagles off balance throughout the match with her unpredictable passing which was the difference in the match. Soria, who helped lead Randall to a state championship in 2022, finished the match dishing out 28 assists on the night.

Soria wasn’t the only senior ready to end the year. Brooke Henderson played outstanding to compliment Soria with eight kills and was key on defense with 10 digs. Layla Romero added eight kills followed by Havi Valdez with seven.

“All of the seniors stepped up,” Morrison said. “They each did their job and were great teammates for one another. Everyone stayed positive throughout the match and had each other’s backs. It was special to see.”

Sophomore Amber Matthews played a pivotal defensive role for the Lady Raiders knocking down three blocks.

Canyon ended a stellar season at 27-14. Alainna Bellino ended the night with 10 assists. Laney Jones went for nine assists with five kills and Landri Jay had nine digs.

West Plains falls in heartbreaker to Decatur 

West Plains and Decatur turned out to be everything fans wanted to see and then some during the Region I-4A Division I championship in Vernon on Thursday night.

Unfortunately for West Plains, this back-and-forth battle didn’t turn out in the Lady Wolves favor as West Plains dropped a five-set heartbreaker, 11-25, 25-23, 19-25, 26-24, 15-13.

West Plains, the District 4-4A champions that were playing in the programs first ever regional championship, end a fantastic season at 31-11.

Decatur (30-13), which is led by Fort Elliott graduate and former West Texas A&M Lady Buff, Stormi (Lancaster) Snider, advances to the UIL Class 4A Division I state semifinals to play the Celina-Caddo Mills winner.

West Plains had big efforts the entire night with players leaving it all on the floor. Aaniyah Kitchen was incredible leading the team with 17 kills and two blocks. Cecilia Murrillo  handed out 31 assists and was great on the back row with 17 digs for a double-double.

AJ Norman was clutch when it counted with 21 digs.

Decatur standout Lara Hornsby was effective against the Lady Wolves with 17 kills and 15 digs for a double-double. Teammate Peyton Dickson also posted a double-double with 24 assists and 13 kills.