Salado ends Davenport volleyball's playoff run in the state semifinals
· Yahoo Sports
As the longest tenured member of the Davenport Wolves who took the court at Littleton Gym on Saturday, senior libero Dakota Hart said team friendships are going to endure.
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That was a comforting thought as she was processing the Wolves' 25-12, 25-16, 25-15 loss against Salado in a Class 4A Division I state semifinal. Hart stood in line with her teammates for her final time as they accepted their UIL bronze medals and the state semifinal trophy.
"The friendships are going to last forever," Hart said. "I just love being surrounded by such amazing people that made me feel good."
They leaned on each other after Saturday's match. The Eagles (44-6), the state's top-ranked 4A team heading into the postseason, took charge from the start and never relented. They kept Davenport out of system for most of the match as the Wolves struggled to establish an attack.
"It was hard because this was one of the biggest competitors that we've seen in a while," Hart said. "It was big switch that we had to adjust to, and I don't think we could figure out how to adjust to it in time."
Senior Mazzy Johnson (18 kills) and sophomore Naomi Niu (12 kills) paced the Eagles attack.
Salado faces two-time reigning state champion Decatur (36-10) for the state title at 6 p.m. Friday at Garland's Culwell Center.
Hart was the last connection to the Wolves' 2023 state championship team in which she was primarily a serving specialist. Her role grew the following season as a defensive specialist as a sophomore and then libero the last two seasons.
Hart was selected as the district's defensive MVP last year and is contention for similar recognition this season.
"It felt good to be part of the team my freshman year," Hart said. "I didn't have a huge role, but it still felt so great, and I wanted everyone else on our team to feel that same feeling. I'm happy that we made it as far as we did this season."
Davenport Wolves Kylie Dahi (5) and Aubrey Dyson (18)Salado try to block a kill from Salado Eagles Kaylee Bragg. Salado defeated Davenport 3-0 in the Class 4A Division I state semifinal on Saturday, November 14, 2026. (Ronald Cortes)The Wolves finished 35-12. They reached the state semifinals after finishing third in District 27-4A at 7-3. District champion Wimberley advanced to the Class 4A Division II state championship after sweeping Madisonville on Saturday at Littleton Gym.
Kerrville Tivy was second at 8-2, one game behind Wimberley. Davenport defeated Tivy in the state quarterfinals last Tuesday. It was the Wolves first victory in four tries against the Antlers this season.
Hart's four-season run was capped with a third trip to the state semifinals. The Wolves also advanced to the semis in 2024. They made it to the state quarterfinals last season. Davenport is 155-35 in those four seasons.
"It's a great thing to be part of Davenport," Hart said. "It's so much fun, and the culture we have is like no other. I feel we have the closest bond a team has ever had form my experience in high school or any other volleyball team. It was just great seeing us all come together."
The Wolves will graduate four other seniors on the 19-member team. Davenport's top four attackers led by sophomore Aliyah Beauford (433 kills) are expected to return as well as setters junior Kylie Dahl and freshman Raelin Cortinas. Junior defensive specialist Tenley Hamlin could slot into the libero role.
"I'm going to remember our seniors," Hamlin said. "They are the hardest workers I know, always giving their 100 percent. I'll remember them and how hard they fought for next year."
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There’s more to San Antonio with the Express-News. Subscribe today for just 25¢.This article originally published at Salado ends Davenport volleyball's playoff run in the state semifinals.