GARLAND, Texas — For the second straight year, Crawford fought its way back to the UIL state volleyball championship, but the Lady Pirates fell short Friday in a sweep against Iola — the fifth state meeting between the two programs in the last nine years.

Iola’s attack overwhelmed early and often, with standout Shaylee McKnown earning State Championship MVP honors after piling up kills and delivering momentum-stopping plays throughout the match.

Crawford countered with balanced scoring from Ella Connell, Megan Ray and Ainsley Anderson, but every time the Lady Pirates surged, Iola answered. In the third set, Iola closed the door with a dominant hitting percentage and aggressive serving to clinch the title.

Despite the loss, Crawford head coach Jeff Coker praised the team’s growth through

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