By Art Garcia
Photography by Thanin Viriyaki
There’s no shortage of expectations for the Southlake Carroll volleyball team. As one of the best squads in Dallas-Fort Worth — and throughout Texas — the Dragons expect to win.
And they’re doing more than most to reach that goal.
But that doesn’t mean they’re satisfied. Hardly. The Dragons were Class 6A-D2 Region 1 finalists in 2024, capping a 28-11 season that ended just short of the ultimate goal.
“I thought it was a great year,” Carroll volleyball coach Leslie Jackson says. “We had a great group of girls. I thought they were competitive every time that they played, and I know obviously we didn’t win the state title, but I thought that they competed the best they could have in the moment it truly mattered, so I was really proud of them for how they did.”
Jackson is entering her third season at Carroll. Each of the first two ended with significant playoff runs, showcasing the talent and depth of the program. The Dragons can line up and compete against any school in the state.
But it also goes beyond the court. Jackson has put her stamp on the program after two seasons on the job. She knows the girls, and, more importantly, they know her coaching style and understand the expectations of wearing the Carroll uniform.
“I think ‘comfort’ is the best word, honestly, just because you don’t have to really install anything new,” Jackson says. “The girls know what our staff expectations are. They know how I run things and what they need to be like at practices, so I think it’s just a lot cozier.
“It’s a lot closer with the girls in the family and the gals that are coming up. The senior leadership roles are doing a great job of leading our freshmen, sophomores and juniors. ‘Comfort and coziness’ is probably the best way that I can describe it.”
The Dragons’ roster is dripping with experience and ability. Senior outside hitter Layla Austin, who’s committed to San Diego State to play collegiately, is one of the team’s returning leaders in kills, hitting percentage, digs and aces.
Senior middle blocker Kinsley Young (TCU) is also among last year’s pacesetters in kills and hitting percentage. Senior middle hitter Abby Huddleston (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi), junior outsider Vanessa Glen and senior setter Emma Eyster all return for a potent lineup. Jackson is excited to have everyone return from their club teams and back on campus for practice.
“The energy that they have in the way that they get along has been really special so far,” she says. “I know it’s early and there hasn’t been much room for problems yet, but I feel like they have really bonded, which is fun to see so early on.”
Jackson doesn’t expect the seniors and the returning letterwinners to take all of the responsibility in leading the team. Each team is different, and this one appears to share the load.
“We really have a unique group this year where everybody is able to take on a leadership role in their own way, and I think that’ll be really cool to see,” Jackson says. “It’ll come together throughout the year.”
Carroll lost in the playoffs to district rival and eventual state champion, Byron Nelson. Although the loss stung some, it also showed how close to home a title actually is.
“The volleyball world is so small and a lot of these girls play with each other all the time on club teams, so I don’t think it’s like, ‘Man, that could’ve been us,’” Jackson says. “I think they feel joy for their friends to be able to win. I think there’s a little bit of competition in there, too, though, because we were so close.”
The home opener for the Dragons was Sept. 2, at 5:30 p.m., against Trinity at the Carroll Sr. High School Competition Gym.