Bobcats expect to have strong returning cast in the fall to make run at back-to-back state titles.
TROPHY CLUB, Texas — The
Byron Nelson (Trophy Club, Texas) volleyball team received its MaxPreps National Championship banner Friday during a pep rally at the school.
The Bobcats went 40-1 without dropping a set after Oct. 1 en route to winning the Class 6A state championship. They ascended to No. 1 in the MaxPreps Top 25 on Oct. 8 and never left as coach Brianne Groth led them to the school's second title.
Among the accolades for Byron Nelson were MaxPreps All-America status for juniors
Kylie Kleckner and
A.J. Seay as well as sophomore
Sophee Peterson. Kleckner was the National Junior of the Year while Peterson was tabbed as the National Sophomore of the Year.
The Byron Nelson volleyball team poses with the MaxPreps National Champions banner on Friday during a rally at the Trophy Club school. (Photo: David Ballering)
"It's been about the journey that went along with this season
and the connection with all these girls. This proves with all the hard
work you can do anything," Seay said. "Winning a national championship and a state title beats winning any
other game."
On Friday, the players were presented the MaxPreps National Champions banner by National Volleyball Editor Aaron Williams, who listed off some of the accomplishments of the team during the pep rally.
MaxPreps has been naming national champions in various sports since 2004 with a volleyball champion being crowned every year since 2009. Only Papillion-LaVista South (Papillion, Neb.) has won back-to-back championships but the youthful Bobcats certainly have a shot to match that feat.
"This is really icing on the cake for sure," Kleckner added. "We knew we had the pieces to
win state and it was about focusing and getting better every day. Our
mentality was 'Win one more.' "
Groth said the banner presentation was a nice reminder of all the hard work that went into the season.
"Byron Nelson has some high-level athletes but they bought into what I
demanded and I think this is one of the most dominating teams in the
history of the state of Texas," she said after being crowned National Champions.
Byron Nelson went 40-1 without losing a set after Oct. 1 to finish No. 1 in the 2024 MaxPreps Top 25 rankings. The Bobcats had three All-Americans in A.J. Seay, Kylie Kleckner and Sophee Peterson. (Photo: David Ballering)
Sisters Sophee and
Sydnee Peterson said the goal all year wasn't the end, but improving each day.
"Coach told us not to focus on the rankings," said Sydney Peterson, who injured her ACL in January but returned for the playoff push. "We knew we good and said 'Let's try to win state' and knew that if we could it would lead to a national championship."
"I've dreamed of this since I was a little kid," Sophee added.
Byron Nelson Bobcats
MaxPreps National Volleyball Editor Aaron Williams presents the volleyball team with their National Championship banner on Friday during a pep rally at the school. (Photo: David Ballering)
