WICHITA FALLS, TX — The Wall Lady Hawks traveled to Wichita Falls on Saturday to face off with the Tatum Lady Eagles for a chance to punch their ticket to the state championships. Wall battled Tatum throughout, claiming a tough three-set victory, 25-16, 25-23, 25-23 to reach their first-ever state final.
"Super proud of my girls," Wall coach Kimberly Branch said. "I feel like they went out and just played. We've said it all along, they are hungy. This is a milestone win."
Wall came ready to play in this semifinal matchup. The Lady Hawks won several early break points to take a 10-5 lead. Lyla Stansberry continued to be a problem in the middle. She had several blocks and early kills that pushed Wall to a big advantage.
The Lady Hawks claimed the first set 25-16.
Tatum battled back in the second set. The Lady Eagles did not necessarily do anything explosive on offense; they just played solid defense. Errors on the Lady Hawks' side of the net allowed Tatum to build a sizable lead and reach 20 points first.
2026 Wall Lady Hawks after winning the state semifinals.
Never a squad to back down, Wall would mount a furious comeback. With sophomore Hadley Kadlacek behind the service line and down 23-17, the Lady Hawks rallied off eight straight points to win the set 25-23.
"She's the one we want behind the service line," Branch said. "She's always solid. I don't don't know why we were struggling, maybe because we were serving so aggressively, but Hadley is always steady at the service line. Her back there gave me confidence. The girls are fighting for each other. Total team win and I'm proud of each and every one of them."
Pressure mounted, but Kadlacek proved why she is an integral part of this squad. She kept delivering, and Wall kept scoring.
"I'm just so proud of how far she's come," senior Kynlee Stevens said of Kadlacek. "She's put in so much work, and it's been amazing to watch her grow."
After the furious rally, it seemed Wall would not be denied. In the third set, the Lady Hawks pulled further and further away, leading by five points halfway through the set, 12-7.
2026 State Semifinal Champs Wall Lady Hawks
Tatum never fully went away or gave up, even closing a nine-point gap back to 21-19 and then later 24-23, but it was clear Wall would not be denied. Brynlee Graves made her presence loud and clear in the third set. Whether at the net or diving across the floor on defense, she propelled Wall to victory, 25-23.
"She's really good," Kadlacek said of Graves. "If there is pressure on her, she always slams it down and gets us a point. I just love her."
The Lady Hawks now advance to the state championship against Clifton at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland.
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