Southlake Carroll volleyball is all smiles, winning under new head coach Leslie Jackson

SOUTHLAKE — Layla Austin’s staff had simply dropped a collection in opposition to a district rival, however it was once exhausting to inform. Unless you identified the No. 80 nationally ranked participant within the Class of 2026 serving to lead a chant within the heart of the huddle, you have to’ve simply wrong her for a senior.

Her teammates answered, guffawing, high-fiving and dancing to the rock track blaring throughout the health club at Carroll Senior High School. There was once obviously no hangover from lacking a possibility to clinch a victory over Keller, who eradicated Southlake Carroll within the 3rd spherical of closing 12 months’s Class 6A playoffs.

After beginning the fourth set on an 8-2 run to drive a Keller timeout, Carroll cruised the remainder of the best way for a 25-20, 25-16, 14-25, 25-7 win. Late within the fit, Austin thumped two directly aces with pace and topspin that induced a large grin from head coach Leslie Jackson. Keller dug the following serve, however Austin was once already beaming later within the level as considered one of her teammates went up for the kill.

It’s rightfully all smiles for Carroll (17-12), which has moved as much as No. 3 in the newest subject ratings after beginning district play with wins over then-No. 2 TC Byron Nelson closing Friday and No. 10 Keller Tuesday. According to sophomore center blocker Kinsley Young, the certain power begins on the most sensible.

Young mentioned Jackson, who got here from Denton Guyer this summer season after Jason Tanaka left to develop into an affiliate head coach at UCF, is as detail-oriented as they arrive. Every recreation day, alternatively, Jackson by no means fails to drop a lighthearted symbol or GIF within the staff crew chat.

“She just is very good at keeping us afloat,” Young mentioned.

Jackson didn’t meet all of the staff till the beginning of camp in July, however Young has already noticed the affect of her personalized touch.

“We kind of needed that girl coach,” she mentioned. “We kind of needed one-on-one talks, girl to girl.”

Jackson has benefitted from quite a lot of continuity throughout the crew. Carroll returned its chief in kills (Austin), blocks (Young) and assists (Cat Millsap). Despite a horde of sophomore and junior ability, there’s additionally senior leaders like Millsap and Taryn Barnes, who completed the sport in opposition to Keller with 10 kills and a team-high 4 aces.

Jackson mentioned combatants in finding it tricky to concentrate on nullifying any of her stars.

“We have a lot of good pieces in every position,” she mentioned, “which I think is a blessing in high school sports.”

Sounds like a reason why to grin.

On Twitter: @McKennaGregjed

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