WooDoo Photos / R. Wooters
Southlake Carroll Varsity Girls in non-district action versus Colleyville Heritage. Southlake won 3-0.
For most volleyball programs in Texas, an 18-4 record would be cause for celebration.
But in District 4-6A, where the margin for error is razor thin, Southlake Carroll’s strong start still has them sitting fourth.
The Lady Dragons are 3-2 in district, trailing a lineup of heavyweights. Byron Nelson, undefeated at 24-0 and riding a 60-match winning streak, is the consensus No. 1 team in Texas. Keller (23-3), which handed Carroll a setback last Tuesday, has the size and experience to challenge anyone. Meanwhile, Justin Northwest sits at 4-1 in district and 17-9 overall, fueled by a six-match winning streak.
That leaves Carroll in the rare position of being both excellent and overshadowed. It’s not that the Lady Dragons are underperforming — they’ve won nearly every match outside district and lean on a veteran roster led by standout seniors. It’s simply the reality of competing in one of the toughest districts in Texas volleyball.
Last Week’s Results
Sept. 9 vs. Keller – Carroll fell 1-3 at home (22-25, 25-19, 25-20, 25-17). After taking the first set, the Dragons couldn’t hold momentum as Keller rallied for three straight.
Sept. 12 vs. V.R. Eaton – Carroll bounced back with a 3-1 win (25-16, 24-26, 25-16, 25-12). The Lady Dragons looked especially sharp in the fourth set to close out the match.
This Week’s Matchups
Sept. 16 vs. Justin Northwest – A pivotal home test against a red-hot Northwest squad. A win would keep Carroll within striking distance of Keller and Byron Nelson in the standings.
Sept. 19 at L.D. Bell – A chance to prove consistency on the road and build momentum heading into the second half of district play.
Player Notes
Kinsley Young – Dominant at the net, leading the team in blocks (60) and hitting percentage (.359) while adding 147 kills.
Layla Austin – Carroll’s offensive engine with a team-high 203 kills (3.9 per set) and second in digs per set (4).
Lauren St. Charles – Defensive anchor, averaging 5.4 digs per set to lead the team.
Emma Eyster – Top server with 19 aces, also steady in her role directing the attack.
District 4-6A Standings (as of Sept. 15)
1. Byron Nelson - 24-0, 5-0
2. Keller - 23-3, 5-1
3. Justin Northwest - 17-9, 4-1
4. Southlake Carroll - 18-4, 3-2
5. Keller Timber Creek - 13-11, 3-3
6. Eaton - 11-9, 1-3
7. L.D. Bell - 7-9, 1-3
8. Keller Central - 14-13, 1-5
9. Euless Trinity - 9-18, 0-5