Photo credit: Matt Smith
BY BRIAN GOSSET
For years, the Liberty Redhawks have been a very good team but never quite got over the hump – losing playoff games against the likes of Frisco Wakeland and Lovejoy. But on Monday during the Class 5A D2 Region 2 championship, Liberty made history by beating the Leopards in straight sets 28-26, 25-10, 25-23 at Prosper Rock Hill HS.
Liberty (35-4) advances to the UIL state semifinals for the first time and will face the winner between Grapevine or Argyle, which would be set for Saturday Nov. 15 at Prosper Rock Hill HS
The Leopards, winners of 10 state titles, end with a 32-14 record.
Senior standout Jaiden Harris finished with 16 kills while Aubree Pratt added seven. Harris, who’s set to sign with Eckerd College, finished with the second most triple-doubles in DFW last season as a junior.
The Redhawks had seven aces and seven blocks.
Maddie Lagrone and Morgan Ferguson led Liberty with 13 and 12 digs, respectively and Allison Tredwell, who will sign with Princeton, and Riley Wong recorded 14 and 13 assists.
It’s only the third time a school from Frisco ISD reached the semifinal round. Reedy was state runner-up in 2022 and Wakeland won the 5A D2 championship last season.
Liberty won District 11-5A and is riding a 13-match winning streak. If Liberty faces Argyle in the semis, the two met once this season with the Redhawks winning in two sets during tournament play on Aug. 21.
