Photo: Matthew Smith
By Brian Gosset
X – @gosset41
X – @gmsportsmedia1
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Top 3 Games In Bi-District
1. Mansfield (44-2) vs Keller (30-6)
This is the only 6A game locally to feature two 30-win teams and their 74 wins combined are most for any bi-district game in the metroplex. After missing the playoffs last season primarily due to injuries, Mansfield’s 44-2 record is second best in the area only behind undefeated Byron Nelson, although the Tigers do have the most wins. They have one of the top 2029s in the nation in MC Crutcher (530+ kills, 90+ aces, 315+ digs). Meanwhile, Keller has great playoff success as of late with back-to-back state tournament appearances and a regional final trip in 2024. A tougher schedule in 4-6A bodes well for the Indians in this match-up, and they’re led by 2026 Cal commit Anna Flores, who leads DFW with 9 triple doubles.
2. Aledo (37-3) vs Colleyville Heritage (25-13)
These two teams met in the regional final last season – now they face off in Round 1 of the 5A D1 playoffs. Life without Suli Davis (BYU freshman) has been different, but Josh McKinney has done a great job with his Panthers in 2025 – finishing third in 6-5A (they took three sets in two games vs Argyle and swept Birdville on Oct. 21). Onita Davis (Tarleton State) and Audrey Popp have combined for nearly 750 kills while Claire Bundy has a team-high 560 assists. Claire Gay just hit the 600-win milestone for Aledo, the #1 team in Class 5A. The Ladycats reached the state semifinals and then returned 10 seniors including ACU commit Alyssa Todd (465 kills).
3. Plano East (28-10) vs Hebron (26-11)
The classic first round showdown in 5-6A and 6-6A takes on a another chapter with the Panthers (third in District 6) and the Hawks, who is coming off a 3-0 sweep over Flower Mound to clinch a 5-6A co-championship. Hebron has won its last seven matches and is led by setter Kamryn Mullican (875+ assists) and top 2028 hitter Taylor Johnson. Sarah Perez has turned East into a contender the past three years, which includes a 38-8 record in district and a trip to the regional semis last year. The Panthers are led by Georgia Tech commit Simone Heard (590+ kills).
Top Teams To Watch
Byron Nelson (36-0): Last year’s 6A D2 champs are now in the 6A D1 bracket – looking for their third title in program history. Winners are 72 straight matches, the trio of Sophee Peterson, Kylie Kleckner and AJ Seay lead the Bobcats into the first round vs. Mansfield Lake Ridge. Byron has only dropped three sets all season.
Flower Mound (33-8): The Jags won 22 in a row before losing to Hebron in the final regular season match. Nonetheless, Flo Mo has been a top team all season. Setter Hayden Curtis and outside Aleah Edmond highlight the offense as they take on Plano in the 6A D2 bi-district round.
Allen (35-6): The Eagles won their final regular season game to clinch a co-championship in District 6-6A – their first title since 2016. Last season, Allen made the state semis for the first time in nearly 20 years. Top 2028 hitter Maya Ogbogu (440+ kills) looks to get the Eagles back to the final four.
Mansfield (44-2): The Tigers tacked on 30 wins from last season’s total with their only two losses coming against district champions Aledo and Wylie. Mansfield has won 107 sets while giving up just 14.
Keller (30-6): Last year’s 6A D1 regional finalist continues to be a top playoff contender over the past five seasons – with 30 or more wins four times in that span.
Duncanville (36-6): The Pantherettes went 14-0 in District 11-6A – the program’s first district title since 2010 and first outright title since 2009. Peyton Smith-Johnson (630+ kills, 350+ digs) is among the top 2029s in the country.
Southlake Carroll (28-5): The Dragons head into the playoffs as the runner-up in 4-6A and was one of three teams all year to win a set over #1 Byron Nelson. Layla Austin (400+ kills) and Kinsley Young (285+ kills, 90+ blocks) give Carroll a good shot at a 6A D2 title.
Plano West (26-5): West captured its fifth district crown in the past seven seasons, a second straight under Cooper Phillips. Like Flower Mound and SLC, the Wolves are a contender to come out of Region 1 in the 6A D2 bracket.
Aledo (37-3): 5A’s top-ranked team made the state semis last season for the first time since 2017. The Ladycats finished with another district championship and extended their district win streak to 35 games in a row.
McKinney North (33-3): Nearly one year ago, the Bulldogs’ first state appearance ended just short in five sets against CC Flour Bluff in the 5A D1 championship. Winners of 20 in a row, won an undefeated championship in 9-5A. Gabi Rodriguez, who played for the USA U-21 team in the summer, leads the way with 600+ digs.
Highland Park (37-8): The Scots went through some adversity with injuries this season, but they appear to be back to 100%. Top 2028 Sarah Floyd, 6-4 Allie Hudgins, libero Gigi Whann, Brooklyn Bailey and setter Anna Lee (1,229 assists) lead this dynamic squad.
Argyle (33-3): Another 2024 state tournament team, Katelyn Johnson has done wonders this year. After graduating DFW’s triple-double queen Jordyn Moore and team’s leading defender Piper Mickenheim, the Eagles won a 12-0 6-5A title behind five sophomores and freshmen, including Alexis Elsey (300+ kills).
Other teams:
Prosper Walnut Grove (31-8)
Frisco Wakeland (25-7)
Frisco Liberty (31-4)
Joshua (31-9)
Springtown (40-9)
Decatur (36-7)
Celina (17-24)
Prosper Richland (16-14)
Brock (31-8)
Eagle Mountain (32-11)
Aubrey (41-3)
Sunnyvale (37-4)
Peaster (35-12)
Gunter (27-11)
Ponder (26-11)
Grandview (29-10)
Boyd (30-9)
Lindsay (34-7)
Blum (23-21)
CHUCK vs GOSS PICK’EM
Aledo vs Coll. Heritage
Chuck – ALEDO | Goss – ALEDO
Wylie vs Rockwall-Heath
Chuck – WYLIE | Goss – WYLIE
Mansfield vs Keller
Chuck – KELLER | Goss – KELLER
Arl. Martin vs Richardson
Chuck – RICHARDSON | Goss – RICHARDSON
Hebron vs Plano East
Chuck – EAST | Goss – EAST
Upset Pick
Chuck – WAXAHACHIE | Goss – FRISCO REEDY
