Katy ISD has continued to prove one thing over the past four years in volleyball.

Everything in Region III goes through District 19-6A.

This year marked the third time in four years that Katy ISD sent a team to the state final game, and that’s just the tip of the iceburg when it comes to the accomplishments.

For the second straight year and the third time in four years there was an all Katy ISD Region III 6A Final. For the fourth straight year there was a Katy ISD team in that regional final as seven out of the eight teams to make it that far from 2020 on have come from District 19-6A.

“This is the hardest district in the area and in maybe some regions, I don’t know all of the region’s but I do know the level of volleyball in this district,” said Cinco Ranch head coach Danielle Wells. “Every year teams from our district find a way to get to the third round, to the regional tournament and to state. It’s a statement when you have teams doing that year after year. We have such a strong district and that’s the benefit is you have to come ready to play every single night.”

Cinco Ranch led the way in the district, making it all the way to the state final game, a feat that Tompkins accomplished last year and Seven Lakes accomplished three years ago when they won a state title. The Cougars finished the year with a 38-6 record, including a 16-0 unbeaten district championship, but were far from the only team to have major accomplishments in the district.

Seven Lakes overcame a gauntlet in the playoffs after finishing third in district. The Spartans had to get through higher ranked seeds in each playoff matchup, beating Fort Bend Austin and Stratford before taking down Tompkins to clinch a spot in the regional tournament and sweeping Deer Park to reach the regional final for the first time since 2020. The Spartans made a big jump after a second round exit last year and finished the season at 29-16. Tompkins made it to the third round for the second straight season after finishing second in district and even the fourth place finisher in district, Jordan, nearly pulled off a huge upset victory over Ridge Point in the opening round of the playoffs.

“This district is just crazy good and competitive,” said Seven Lakes head coach Amy Cataline. “It makes you better when you play in this district and prepared us for the playoffs. You’re already at that level of competitiveness because of what you’ve gone through the past two months.”

That high level of performance shows no signs of slowing down either. Each of the teams that made the playoffs will bring back a number of strong players next season while teams like Katy and Taylor, who were very competitive in their own right, will try to build on this season with their strong young cores.

One thing is certain. If another team in Region III is going to make it through to the state tournament, they’re going to have to go through the teams in Katy ISD, and no one has had luck with that over the past couple of years.

“There’s so much skill in this district,” said Cinco Ranch senior middle blocker Emily Killam. “You never know what you are going to face on the court and it’s so challenging every time you go out there against anyone in this district. It helps you because you are always focused, you’re always determined and you always have to overcome another really good team.”