Boyd volleyball coach Clark Oberle instructs the Lady Jackets during the team’s battle against Stockdale in the 3A Division I state championship match Nov. 22, 2024, inside Garland’s Curtis Culwell Center. The two-time state champion coach (Argyle, 2015; Decatur, 2018) recently announced he will retire at the end of the 2025 season. BRENDAN MARCHAND | WCMESSENGER
Boyd coach Clark Oberle took the reins of the Lady Jacket volleyball program three years ago, and led the squad to the 2024 3A Division II state championship match — the program’s third state tournament berth in the past decade.
A two-time state champion coach, Oberle — who began his career in 1994 — will enter his 32nd and final campaign beginning in August after recently announcing his plans to retire at the end of the season.
“It’s been a very difficult decision,” Oberle said. “I’ve shed a few tears this summer thinking about how my last first day of two-a-day practices is coming up, and that’s traditionally my favorite day of the year, right up there with Christmas Day.”
The coach said he made the decision to call it a career in order to spend time traveling with his wife in his next chapter.
“We’ve planned some things — some traveling and adventures — and we didn’t want until we were too old to do stuff,” Oberle said. “We’re both old enough to retire, but we’re still young enough to hike and do things like that. We didn’t want to put it off any longer.”
Oberle credited his career longevity to the friendships he’s made through coaching the sport he loves.
“I’ve met so many people — athletes, co-workers and parents — and I’ve made a lot of lifelong friends,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of memories. There’s not a day that goes by that something doesn’t happen, and it makes me think about a kid I used to coach. I love practices and playing games, and I love the competition. It’s been a great ride.”
Boyd volleyball coach Clark Oberle calls in a play from the sidelines in the Lady Jackets’ 3A Division II bi-district win over Duncanville Village Tech Nov. 9, 2024 at Keller Central High School. BRENDAN MARCHAND | WCMESSENGER
Hired to replace former coach Dusty Crafton, Oberle arrived in Boyd in 2022 after a 30-28 run with Frisco Liberty in two seasons, and has led the Lady Jackets to 30-plus wins in three consecutive campaigns.
The Lady Jackets currently hold 102-24 record during Oberle’s tenure. During that time, the team claimed the 2022 District 10-3A title (2022), and finished second in league play in 2023 and 2024.
“Coming to Boyd has proven to have been a great move, and I’m very blessed to have had the opportunity to coach here,” Oberle said. “Frisco Liberty was a big 5A school, and a lot of people would love to have that opportunity. I didn’t dislike it, but I never felt like I was home there… I wanted to get back to a smaller school to finish out my career — a community with one high school where every kid’s in the hallway. I’ve really enjoyed the my teams and all of the love and support from the community.”
Last season, Boyd (37-5, 10-2) claimed the district’s top seed in the 3AII bracket after placing second behind Ponder. The team collected postseason wins over Duncanville Village Tech (3-0), Blue Ridge (3-0), West Rusk (3-2), Big Sandy Harmony (3-0) and Tolar to earn its third state tournament berth (2017, 2018, 2024).
“Last year was unique and special, not just for going to the state final, but also because that team really epitomized what we’ve been trying to do here — worrying more about being a great teammate more so than being a great player,” Oberle said. “I wanted to build a winning culture, and the kids did everything I asked of them. Even through the day-in and day-out practices and long tournament season, there was virtually no drama — I don’t know if I’ve ever said that about any team. We worked hard every day, and we had a great time doing it.”
Despite entering the 3AII state championship match riding a 10-game win streak, Boyd fell to Stockdale in four sets (29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21) Nov. 22, 2024 inside the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland.
“I’ve gone back and tried to watch the video of it several times,” Oberle said. “I haven’t gotten past the first set yet, especially with Shaye [Abernathy] getting hurt in the first 45 seconds of the match — and she was supposed to be opposite of [Stockdale sophomore outside hitter LeAnn Wise]. Looking at the scores, we were still right there and almost won without my initial game plan being able to go. I loved the support of the community and the effort the kids game, but it’s still hard that we didn’t come away with the win.”
Boyd volleyball coach Clark Oberle celebrates with the Lady Jackets after a 3-1 win over Tolar in the 3A Division II state semifinals Nov. 19, 2024 at Mineral Wells High School. FILE | WCMESSENGER
After starting his career with a 1-year stint at Killeen Ellison, Oberle came to North Texas and coached at Petrolia for four years. He then started the volleyball program at Argyle in 1999, and won the 4A state championship in 2015.
Oberle left Argyle to coach at Decatur from 2017 to 2019, and led the program to its third state title over Needville in 2018 — amassing a 97-39 record with the Lady Eagles.
Boyd lost six seniors following the 2024 season, but will return its two captains — Addy Delgado and Bryleigh Wallace — as well as new captain Cami McIntire, Jalynn Starnes and Payton Sowell.
“These girls were all critical to our success last year,” Oberle said. “We’ve got a lot returning. Even though we lost a senior class, I really like the kids we’ve got coming back.”
With the dawn of his final season on the horizon, Oberle’s squad will look find a way to claim the program’s first state title and send the coach out on top.
“Our focus is on getting back to state,” he said. “In our meetings, that’s what all of the returning girls have said they wanted to do. It seems like we’ve got unfinished business, and they’re putting in the work that they need to. Our culture is continuing on into this year with the new girls from the JV team, as well as a transfer that’s going to help us. We’re going to give it our best shot and do everything we can to get back there, and come home with the gold medal this time.”
The Lady Jackets will begin August practices Friday, Aug. 1.
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