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For nearly a decade, one thing has been a constant in Texas high school volleyball — when the postseason reaches the regional round, the Bushland Lady Falcons are there, and more often than not, they’re winning it. That tradition carried on once again Tuesday night in Vernon, where Bushland shook off an early stumble to defeat Peaster in four sets (22-25, 25-22, 25-15, 25-14) and claim yet another Region I-3A Division I championship.
The victory extends Bushland’s playoff win streak to 17 matches and sends the Lady Falcons to the UIL Class 3A Division I state semifinals for the seventh straight season. They’ll now face Ponder (30-12) at 1 p.m. Saturday at Wichita Falls Legacy High School, with a chance to move one step closer to a third consecutive state title.
A Slow Start, Then Total Control
Peaster came out strong, taking advantage of Bushland’s early nerves to grab the first set, 25-22. But like so many times before, Bushland found its rhythm and quickly took control of the match. The Lady Falcons cleaned up their passing, steadied their serve receive, and began to dictate tempo with sharp outside hitting. From that point forward, the regional title looked inevitable.
The second set swung Bushland’s way 25-22, and the momentum only grew from there. The Lady Falcons dominated the third and fourth sets, 25-15 and 25-14, closing out the match with the poise and power that have defined their dynasty.
Balanced Attack Leads the Way
Head coach Jason Culpepper, who has now taken Bushland to the state semifinals every year of his seven-year tenure, has built his teams around depth, discipline, and relentless energy. This year’s group is younger and less experienced than the 2023 championship squad, but they’ve quickly developed their own identity — one built on hustle and balance across the court.
That balance was on full display Tuesday night. The tandem of Berklee Billington and Laynee Adams led the attack, each recording 13 kills and keeping Peaster’s defense guessing all evening. Setter Morgan Eberly guided the offense with 33 assists, while Jaida Scott added 23 more, showcasing Bushland’s ability to spread the offense and keep opponents on their heels.
Defensively, Ava Permenter and Charley Freeman were steady as ever in the back row, combining for 50 digs. Permenter’s 33 digs set the tone, and Freeman’s 17 helped close the door on Peaster’s late rallies.
A Dynasty Built on Work and Culture
What makes Bushland’s run so impressive isn’t just the wins — it’s the consistency. Year after year, the Lady Falcons graduate standout players, yet the program continues to thrive. It’s a reflection of the culture Culpepper and his staff have instilled — one that emphasizes effort, teamwork, and enjoying the grind as much as the glory.
With a 39-8 record and another deep playoff run underway, Bushland has its sights set firmly on another state championship. But for now, the Lady Falcons can savor yet another regional crown — a familiar feeling that never seems to get old.
Randall’s Run Ends Against Eagle Mountain
While Bushland celebrated, another Panhandle powerhouse saw its season come to a close. The Randall Lady Raiders fell in straight sets to a dominant Eagle Mountain team in the Region I-4A Division II championship at Sweetwater, 25-19, 25-10, 25-10.
Despite the loss, Randall (29-15) capped off another strong season, earning a share of the District 4-4A championship and making another deep playoff push. Amber Matthews and Chloe Brown each tallied 10 kills, while Brown added five digs. Kambree Gonzalez led the defensive effort with eight digs, and Benett Moore dished out 15 assists.
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