Boyd middle blocker Annabelle Nichter (14) and Cami McIntire (6) elevate for a block attempt in the Lady Jackets’ District 10-3A home sweep against Callisburg Friday — 25-12, 25-4, 25-9. MICAH MCCARTNEY | WCMESSENGER
Behind a strong offensive performance, the Boyd Lady Jackets took care of business on the court in coach Clark Oberle’s final home game last week.
Boyd (28-9) kept its District 10-3A record unblemished by closing its season series against Callisburg with a sweep Oct. 17 — 25-12, 25-4, 25-9.
Oberle — who announced his intentions to retire at the end of the 2025-26 school year in July — said the win in his final match inside Boyd High School gym was a special moment in his 32-year career.
“It was fun that they played as well as they did, and they had fun doing it which makes it fun for me, as well,” Oberle said. “To finish our home games with a good, quality team win was definitely a good feeling.”
Boyd’s win streak stretched to 12 consecutive matches with the victory against Callisburg. In league play, the Lady Jackets have only dropped two sets — one to Ponder and one to Paradise.
“The girls have done a really good job in district,” Oberle said. “We’ve kind of been on a mission, and we’ve had a goal all year long. We played a really tough non-district schedule, and they’ve come out and executed in district. It hasn’t been perfect, but it’s been pretty darn good for the most part. We’ve played really well against good teams. I’m proud of what they’ve done, but we’re not finished yet.”
The Lady Jackets wasted no time in taking control of the match’s momentum. Holding a 19-12 advantage late in the opening set, Boyd sparked a 6-0 run to take a 1-0 set lead behind kills from senior outside hitter Addy Delgado, sophomore outside hitter Jalynn Starnes, as well as an ace by senior libero Bryleigh Wallace and a block by senior middle blocker Annabelle Nicther for the final point.
Oberle credited the addition of Nichter to Boyd’s lineup as a catalyst for the team this season.
“Belle is a strong blocker and a strong offensive threat,” he said. “She’s fit in so well that it’s almost like she’s been here forever — a natural fit from the second she got here.”
Boyd started the second frame on a 16-1 run. The home team’s powerful drive hit turbo, as the Lady Jackets took a commanding 2-0 advantage with a 9-3 final drive, capped off by a pair of aces served by freshman right side hitter/middle blocker Bayleigh Medlock.
Callisburg was unable to match Boyd’s big hits in the final set. The Lady Jackets quickly amassed a 12-4 lead, and opened the scoring gap wider down the stretch, closing the contest on a 13-5 attack.
Delgado — a Hardin-Simmons University commit — swung for a team-high 11 kills in the win, and added seven digs, two aces, 1.5 blocks and one assist. Starnes aided Boyd’s offense with nine kills, while Nichter finished with seven.
“Our offense is huge this year, and we’ve got a lot of weapons,” Oberle said. “We’ve obviously got girls that other teams know about. But if they start keying in on them, we’ve got others along the net, and several that can hit from the back row. We’re a really tough team to defend when we’re taking care of the ball in serve-receive. I think being unpredictable is one of the keys of being a good program.”
The Lady Jackets’ passing game was led by junior setter Cami McIntire’s 25 assists.
“You can have a good hitting team, but it’s not going to do you any good if you can’t get the ball to them,” Oberle said. “We work hard on serve-receive and on defense just so our offense has the opportunity to get the ball, and Cami’s really doing a good job. When we go against each other in practice, the girls that play against her every day have no idea where she’s going with the ball. So kids who only play against her twice a year really don’t have a shot.”
Boyd’s duo of Wallace and Medlock teamed up to brace the defense. Wallace — committed to East Central University — racked up 20 digs, while Medlock tallied three blocks and two block assists.
Ranked 10th in this week’s Texas Girls Coaches Association’s 3A poll, the Lady Jackets close out their league schedule with road matches against Paradise 6 p.m. Tuesday at Pilot Point 4:30 p.m. Friday.
Oberle believes his final Boyd squad has what it takes to make another deep playoff run this season after reaching the 3AI state championship match last season — the program’s third overall state tournament berth (2017, 2018, 2024) and second trip to the finals (2018, 2024).
“I feel like it’s a definite possibility for us to get back to state with the way we’re playing and the personnel we have, as well as their desire,” he said. “A lot has to happen in our favor, but I like our chances.”
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