Because the longest tenured member of the Davenport Wolves who took the court docket at Littleton Health club on Saturday, senior libero Dakota Hart mentioned crew friendships are going to endure.
That was a comforting thought as she was processing the Wolves’ 25-12, 25-16, 25-15 loss in opposition to Salado in a Class 4A Division I state semifinal. Hart stood in step with her teammates for her remaining time as they accepted their UIL bronze medals and the state semifinal trophy.
Commercial
“The friendships are going to final endlessly,” Hart mentioned. “I simply love being surrounded by such wonderful people who made me really feel good.”
They leaned on one another after Saturday’s match. The Eagles (44-6), the state’s top-ranked 4A crew heading into the postseason, took cost from the beginning and by no means relented. They stored Davenport out of system for many of the match because the Wolves struggled to determine an assault.
“It was exhausting as a result of this was one of many largest rivals that we have seen shortly,” Hart mentioned. “It was massive swap that we needed to alter to, and I do not assume we might work out alter to it in time.”
Senior Mazzy Johnson (18 kills) and sophomore Naomi Niu (12 kills) paced the Eagles assault.
Commercial
Salado faces two-time reigning state champion Decatur (36-10) for the state title at 6 p.m. Friday at Garland’s Culwell Heart.
Hart was the final connection to the Wolves’ 2023 state championship crew through which she was primarily a serving specialist. Her position grew the next season as a defensive specialist as a sophomore after which libero the final two seasons.
Hart was chosen because the district’s defensive MVP final yr and is competition for comparable recognition this season.
“It felt good to be a part of the crew my freshman yr,” Hart mentioned. “I did not have an enormous position, nevertheless it nonetheless felt so nice, and I wished everybody else on our crew to really feel that very same feeling. I am completely satisfied that we made it so far as we did this season.”
Davenport Wolves Kylie Dahi (5) and Aubrey Dyson (18)Salado attempt to block a kill from Salado Eagles Kaylee Bragg. Salado defeated Davenport 3-0 within the Class 4A Division I state semifinal on Saturday, November 14, 2026. (Ronald Cortes)
The Wolves completed 35-12. They reached the state semifinals after ending third in District 27-4A at 7-3. District champion Wimberley superior to the Class 4A Division II state championship after sweeping Madisonville on Saturday at Littleton Health club.
Commercial
Kerrville Tivy was second at 8-2, one sport behind Wimberley. Davenport defeated Tivy within the state quarterfinals final Tuesday. It was the Wolves first victory in 4 tries in opposition to the Antlers this season.
Hart’s four-season run was capped with a 3rd journey to the state semifinals. The Wolves additionally superior to the semis in 2024. They made it to the state quarterfinals final season. Davenport is 155-35 in these 4 seasons.
“It is an awesome factor to be a part of Davenport,” Hart mentioned. “It is a lot enjoyable, and the tradition we now have is like no different. I really feel we now have the closest bond a crew has ever had kind my expertise in highschool or some other volleyball crew. It was simply nice seeing us all come collectively.”
The Wolves will graduate 4 different seniors on the 19-member crew. Davenport’s high 4 attackers led by sophomore Aliyah Beauford (433 kills) are anticipated to return in addition to setters junior Kylie Dahl and freshman Raelin Cortinas. Junior defensive specialist Tenley Hamlin might slot into the libero position.
Commercial
“I will bear in mind our seniors,” Hamlin mentioned. “They’re the toughest employees I do know, all the time giving their one hundred pc. I am going to bear in mind them and the way exhausting they fought for subsequent yr.”
Subscribe
There’s extra to San Antonio with the Categorical-Information. Subscribe at this time for simply 25¢.
This text initially printed at Salado ends Davenport volleyball’s playoff run within the state semifinals.