Water Valley Volleyball Continues Cinderella Run to State Final

MIDLOTHIAN, TX — The Water Valley volleyball team will play for the Class 1A state championship after a five-set win over Saint Jo on Saturday.

The Lady Cats won the first two sets, then had to fight off a comeback by Saint Jo before hanging on for a 25-21, 25-14, 23-25, 23-25, 15-6 win at Midlothian High School.

Water Valley was the runner-up from its district but put together an inspired playoff run with four-set wins over Aspermont, Knox City, Buena Vista and Veribest to win the regional title.

The Lady Cats had lost all three regular-season matchups with Veribest, including two during district play, but they beat their rivals when it mattered most in the regional final Friday.

Water Valley was the underdog again Saturday against a Saint Jo team that entered the playoffs ranked No. 5 in the state.

The Lady Cats improved to 27-14 and will now play for the state title against Blum or McMullen County at 3 p.m. Thursday at Curtis Culwell Center in Garland. Blum entered the postseason ranked No. 2 in the state.

Water Valley previously won state titles in 1986 and 2011. The Lady Cats last played for the state championship in 2018.