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THE RECAP: Kingwood Softball punches ticket to UIL-6A State Tournament; Photo Gallery
Over the course of this past week, audiences witnessed an incredible feat of adversity take place on the high school softball diamond.
For the first time since 2013, the Kingwood softball program will be returning to the UIL State Tournament at Red & Charline McCombs Field in Austin.
They did so by overpowering the No. 1 ranked team in the nation -- Katy Tigers -- by completing a series sweep in the Region III-6A Final.
The Mustangs, led by first-year head coach Christa Williams-Yates, were buoyed by the shining performances of Mia Gagliardi (Jr. C), Leilani Garcia (Jr. 2B), Hunter Quentel (Fr. P), and Addy Sheppard (Jr. SS), just to name a few.
KHS now have their sights set on the coveted state title, and the next opponent standing in their path is Midway, who they'll face this Friday at 7:00 pm, with a bevy of fans in tow,
For now, here were some of the sights from Kingwood's 7-6 series clincher over Katy.
Additionally, we interviewed the stars of the game, as well as Coach Williams-Yates, detailing their remarkable achievement.
Check out the interview below!
Some of the stars of 2023-24 Kingwood Softball
BASES LOADED: Williams-Yates Era begins at No. 5 Kingwood
No. 5 -- Kingwood Mustangs
The Kingwood Mustangs are led by one of the most decorated softball players to come out of Houston, Texas – Christa Williams-Yates. Williams-Yates is a two-time Olympic gold medalist after playing her college ball at Texas, but enough about her.
Her team has some star-power of its own. The trio of juniors -- Addyson Sheppard, Leilani Garcia and Mia Gagliardi – will lead the stable. Gagliardi calls the game behind the plate, while Sheppard (Arizona-commit) is a slick-fielding shortstop. Garcia turns-two at second base and is quick around the bases.
The ‘Stangs knocked off Brazoswood in the second round of the 2023 postseason, before falling to the eventual State Champs, Pearland, in Round No. 3.
However, this season may very well play out differently for Kingwood.