Goliad ends Bushland’s three-peat bid with straight-set sweep

A bid for a three-peat fell short for the Bushland Lady Falcons on Friday, as Goliad delivered a decisive three-set sweep—25-22, 25-18, 25-16—in the UIL Class 3A Division I state championship match at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland. The Tigerettes not only claimed the program’s third state title but also earned a measure of payback after last season’s semifinal loss to Bushland.

The opening set offered the day’s most competitive action. Bushland held a slim 22-21 advantage late, appearing poised to strike first. But Goliad shifted the momentum in a hurry, closing with four straight points to steal the set. That late surge proved to be a turning point, energizing the Tigerettes while putting the Lady Falcons on their heels.

From that moment forward, Goliad seized full control. The second set showcased the Tigerettes’ aggressive serving and steady offensive rhythm, elements that forced Bushland into uncharacteristic errors. With each miscue, Goliad’s confidence swelled, and its lead widened. The Lady Falcons struggled to regain their balance, and the Tigerettes never let them back into the set.

The third and final frame brought more of the same. Goliad wasted no time closing the door, attacking efficiently and maintaining pressure with precise ball placement. As the points stacked up, the Tigerettes cruised to the championship-clinching finish, punctuating a dominant postseason run.

Despite the loss, Bushland received a standout performance from sophomore outside hitter Berklee Billington. In her first major test under state-tournament lights, Billington delivered 18 kills on 41 swings, finishing with a strong .317 hitting percentage. She also added 11 digs to secure a double-double. Setters Jaida Scott and Morgan Eberly combined for 32 assists, while senior libero Ava Permenter capped her exceptional career with 18 digs. Laynee Adams chipped in six kills and 11 digs.

Bushland head coach Jason Culpepper credited Goliad for its ability to dictate the match with sharp serving and an effective middle attack. He noted that his team competed hard but never fully regained the rhythm needed to flip momentum back in their favor. A difficult first-set rotation, he said, contributed to the early swing that Goliad capitalized on for the rest of the match.

The loss ends another remarkable season for the Lady Falcons, who finished 41-8 and continued several impressive program streaks. Bushland extended its run of state-championship-match appearances to six straight and will take a 105-match district winning streak into 2026. However, the defeat also snapped a 13-match overall winning streak and an 18-match postseason streak.

Culpepper emphasized the importance of the senior class, crediting their leadership for carrying the program to yet another state final. He praised their ability to guide a roster that continued to grow throughout the season, maintaining the standard that has defined Bushland volleyball for nearly two decades.

Meanwhile, Goliad closed its season with a remarkable 44-3 record and an active 37-match winning streak. Outside hitter Addison Yendrey earned state championship MVP honors after producing 20 kills, seven digs, and an ace—an exclamation point on a dominant day for the Tigerettes and a banner season that brought home the program’s first state title since 2017.