Dawson punches ticket to 6A state volleyball finals
November 17, 2025
The Lady Eagles captured a first-ever Class 6A Div I Region III title to advance to the state semifinals for the first time and then came away with the win that now has them set to challenge for a first-ever state title against No. 1 nationally-ranked and undefeated Byron Nelson Lady Bobcats (41-0) on Saturday, November 22 at 4:00 p.m. at Curtis Culwell Center in Garland.
Dawson won the gutsy battle with O'Conner 25-19, 22-25, 22-25, 25-22, 16-14 in the UIL Class 6A Division I state semifinals at Delmar Fieldhouse.
Dawson head coach Lauren Leth has been at the helm since 2018 and she is stepping down from her post at the end of the season. She’s taking an assistant principal job at Pearland ISD’s Berry Miller Junior High School, so this season has been extra special for her -- one she will never forget no matter what happens.
“These girls are just incredible,” Leth said. “They have been together as best friends since they were in seventh grade, and while they may not always be the biggest or the most powerful, they just absolutely refuse to lose for each other.”
Playing Nelson will be the greatest challenge of all this season. Nelson, which swept Cypress Ranch in the state semifinals, has won 77 consecutive matches and has lost just four sets all season. The Lady Bobcats won the Division II title last year.
The Eagles (42-4) have been operating with the motto “1-1-1” all season long: “One team, one moment, one win.”
There is one thing for sure -- the girls from Dawson will show up and give it their all!
Against O'Conner, Avery Koonsen paced Dawson's offense, picking up 26 kills. Koonsen got some help from Taylor Ranney and her 47 assists. Isabella Tijerina controlled things from the service line, finishing with three aces. Jenna Thedford had 51 digs. Sloane Ranney had 13 kills,
Dawson enters the state title game with 22 consecutive victories, so the Lady Eagles know how to win.
In a way, this is going to be a game with Goliath facing little David and we know how that story ended.
No matter what happens -- Pearland is proud of the Dawson Lady Eagles!
