The Bobcats capped a 42-0 season Saturday with a sweep of
Dawson (Pearland) in the Conference 6A Division 1 final that cemented their status as the nation's best.
"I let them, their confidence carried them," Byron Nelson coach Briane Groth said.
Groth gave birth to twin girls less than three weeks ago and missed a few playoff matches but the team's maturity and makeup gave her confidence in their purpose and mission. Her longtime assistant Chrissy Garcia, who also is pregnant but due later, stepped in during Groth's absence.
"I told my coaching staff, if there was ever a team for this to happen, both of us to be pregnant at same time, this was the year to do it. The whole vibe was to take care of business," Groth said.
Unlike 2024 when Groth steered her team away from talk of championships and rankings, the Bobcats embraced their front-runner status.
"We changed our tune this year," Groth said. "It
wasn’t me, it was the girls. They kind of said 'It is what is is. If
we’re going to go out there and get your best, we're still going to go
and beat you."
That sentiment solidified in August after taking the Ann Kang Invitational title in Hawaii.
"After Hawaii when we only dropped one set, they looked at each other an said 'We’re going to do this.' "
Byron Nelson's sweep of
Dawson was the program's 78th straight victory dating back
to last season and marks only the second time a Texas school has gone unbeaten and won consecutive state titles in the highest classification. The last loss was in August 2024 at a tournament in Hawaii.
Against Dawson, Washington commit Kleckner hammered 21 kills and Rice commit Seay added 11. Texas A&M pledge Peterson had 35 assists and 13 digs while Sterna had a team-high 14 digs for the Bobcats.
They were in control, like they were for much of the season, all match against Dawson. A second-set run from the Eagles that forced a rare Byron Nelson timeout was the only threat.
"All season long it's been that way ... I gave them space to work things out," Groth said. "I would not call timeouts (when I might have in past years) and bail them out."
She said the business-like approach of a veteran-led team allowed her and her coaching staff that freedom.
"My coaching staff felt 'It’s not us, it’s these kids.' They were so capable to do this on their own," Groth said. "They got down to business. There’s not a lot of fluff. They have a lot of fun outside of the court, but when they hit the court, it was business.
"The girls probably felt pressure, but winners win. There were only four teams that took a set and no one took two. They we’re used to being in tough situations and getting everyone’s best."
Past MaxPreps National Champions
2009 — Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.)
2010 — Papillion-LaVista South (Papillion, Neb.)
2011 — Papillion-LaVista South
2012 — Bishop Moore (Orlando, Fla.)
2013 — The Woodlands (Texas)
2014 — Lewis-Palmer (Monument, Colo.)
2015 — Cathedral (Indianapolis)
2016 — Mother McAuley (Chicago)
2017 — Walton (Marietta, Ga.)
2018 — Assumption (Louisville, Ky.)
2019 — Torrey Pines (San Diego, Calif.)
2020 — No champion recognized due to pandemic
2021 — Marymount (Los Angeles, Calif.)
2022 — Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, Calif.)
2023 — Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
2024 — Byron Nelson (Trophy Club, Texas)
Final MaxPreps Top 25
Record: 42-0 |
Last week: 1
Conference 6A Division 1 state champion.
2. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Record: 35-5 |
Last week: 3
Open Division state champion.
Southern California region Open Division finalist.
Class 6A state champion.
Class 4A state champion.
Class 4A state champion.
Southern California region Open Division semifinalist.
Class AA state champion.
Conference 6A Division 2 state champion.
Southern California region Open Division quarterfinalist.
Conference 5A Division 1 state champion.
Class 3A state champion.
Class 7A state champion.
Class 4A state runner-up.
Division 1 state champion.
Record: 40-1 | Last week: 21
Class 5 state champion.
Division 1 state champion.
Class 5A state champion.
Division 1 state champion.
Class 7A state champion.
Conference 6A Division 1 state runner-up.
Next 75
Division 1 state champion.
Open Division state runner-up.
Northern California region Open Division finalist.
Southern California region Open Division quarterfinalist.
Conference 6A Division 2 state runner-up.
Class 6A state champion.
Class 5A state champion.
Class A state champion.
Class 6A state runner-up.
Private School state champion.
Class B state champion.
Class AAAAAA state champion.
Southern California region Open Division quarterfinalist.
Class AAAAAA state runner-up.
Class 4A state runner-up.
Class 5A state champion.
Class 5A state champion.
Division 1 state champion.
Division 1 state runner-up.
Class 5A state champion.
Division 1 state runner-up.
Conference 5A Division 1 state semifinalist.
Division 1 state semifinalist.
Class A state runner-up
Conference 5A Division 2 state runner-up.
Class 4A state champion.
Class C1 state champion.
Class 8A state champion.
Class 6A state champion.
Class 6A state runner-up.
Conference 6A Division 2 state runner-up.
Class 6A state champion.
Class B state runner-up
Class B state semifinalist.
Division 1 state runner-up
Northern California region Open Division semifinalist.
Division 1 state semifinalist.
Kentucky state runner-up.
Conference 6A Division 1 state semifinalist.
Class 4A state champion.
DCSAA state champion.
Class 7A state runner-up.
Private School state runner-up.
Class 5A state runner-up
Class 5A state champion.
Class 5A state champion.
Class 6A state champion.
Division 1 state champion.
Division II, Class AA state champion.
Class 4A state champion.
Class AAAAA state champion.
Class 6A state runner-up.
Class AAAA state champion.
Class 6A state champion.
Class 7A state champion.
Division 2 state champion.
Class 5A Division 1 state champion.
Class 5 state champion.
Division 1 state semifinalist.
Conference 4A Division 2 state champion.
Class 6A state runner-up.
Division 2 state champion.
