Coppell volleyball travels to Keller Central to start its postseason against state ranked Byron Nelson tonight at 6:30 in their Class 6A Region I bi-district playoff match. Byron Nelson may prove to be fierce competition, as it is ranked third in the state and eighth in the nation in Class 6A volleyball.

“Byron Nelson has lots of talent on their team,” Coppell senior outside hitter Victoria Wiegand said. “We’re hoping to go all out and give our best to play to our maximum potential.”

Byron Nelson junior setter Payton Chamberlain had 1,604 assists this season, breaking her school record and leading the Dallas area. Byron Nelson senior outside hitter Paige Flickinger was Gatorade Player of the Year last season and committed to play Division I volleyball at Louisiana State University next year. Despite facing off against a highly ranked and talented team, Coppell coach Julie Price and her team remain hopeful about their odds.

“We prepare for each individual team we play and their unique skill sets, and Byron Nelson is no different,” Price said. “In the end, all we can do is prepare for the talent they have on their team and rely on our practice and experience.”

Coppell is 28-18 overall and 8-5 in district. Byron Nelson is 43-2 overall and 13-1 in District 5-6A. The Cowgirls enter playoffs after Friday’s close 3-2 loss at district rival Hebron. 

“We’re hoping to put past games behind us and move forward together as a team,” Price said. “Playoffs are a whole different arena than the regular season and we enter [tonight’s] game at the same level as Byron Nelson. We both have clean slates.”

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