Byron Nelson volleyball team presented with MaxPreps National Championship banner at school pep rally

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. "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.

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.