The Goliad Tigerettes (43-3, 10-0) and Bushland Lady Falcons (38-8, 7-0) will meet for the second year in a row in the UIL 3A D1 Texas Volleyball State Championship. The game is set for Friday morning in Garland. Last year, Goliad came up short in four sets 19-25, 27-25, 13-25, 8-25. For Bushland, it was the program’s fourth state title in five years and eighth state crown overall. This year, however, Goliad brings a remarkable 36-game winning streak into the matchup. This is the longest win streak that Goliad has put together in any of their previous 10 consecutive district championship seasons. The Tigerettes have lost just three total sets during the streak and their last loss occurred on Aug. 16 in a three-set match against Fulshear. If Goliad wins, it would be their first state title since 2017. Tigerettes head coach Jess Odem addressed the emotions of playing a Bushland program that eliminated her club from championship contention in 2024. “It’s a little bit of a mental tug to go up against the same team that beat us in the biggest game of the season last year. I’m just telling the team to stay in character and don’t waste this entire season dwelling on what happened in the past,” coach Odem said. Senior co-captain and middle blocker Maevyn Wunsch and junior middle blocker Addison Yendrey are Goliad’s most potent offensive players at the net. Their performances will likely play a pivotal role in the outcome of the game. Coach Odem said the skill of Wunsch and Yendrey has only increased since last year’s championship match. Odem believes the maturity level of both power players has grown over the past year as well. “They really understand the magnitude of the moment and what’s going to be expected of them. Carrying that weight on their shoulders is something they are ready to handle,” coach Odem said. Other key players for Goliad include junior setter Isabel Sanchez, senior libero and co-captain Karolynn Youngblood, and sophomores Ella Ulbricht and Sierra Arriazola. Coach Odem believes there will be moments in the game where each player will be expected to contribute both offensively and defensively. “It’s going to take an entire group effort to beat such a talented team, that’s the name of the game. I think all the girls know their role and their responsibilities and they have very high expectations for themselves,” coach Odem said. Specifically, Odem anticipates that a strong serve-receive passing game is going to be critical for setting up Goliad’s offensive opportunities. Coach Odem also stresses the importance of limiting Bushland’s ability to enjoy extended runs on the offensive end. “They are such a talented team, so we know they can make a run. We just have to minimize those runs as much as possible,” coach Odem said.
https://victoriaadvocate.com/2025/11/20/goliad-gears-up-for-state-championship-rematch-with-bushland/
Goliad gears up for state championship rematch with Bushland
