Originally appeared on Vype.com.

On Saturday, Episcopal volleyball (29-6) reached the mountain top for the first time in nearly two decades. The Lady Knights wrapped up the season with a 3-1 victory against Houston Christian in the SPC Championship. It earned their ninth championship overall, and first since their seven consecutive titles between 1992 and 1998.

“Because it was such a long time, it made it even more special to get that title back,” said Brennan Howell.

None of the Knights’ players were born the last time the program finished first, but they had a coach who had won before. Amanda Watts ended the 90’s dynasty with a pair of Fort Worth Trinity Valley crowns in 1999 and 2000. Her experience from those seasons, combined with this year’s talent, guided the group through a 2-4 start, as well as a 17-game win streak to end the year.

“I told them around Harvey time that they had the talent to win it,” said Watts. “And, if they kept pushing through it, they could win it.”

Alabama-commit Mylana Byrd was the main piece to the puzzle, but team depth was needed to finish it. That included fellow senior Kansas Watts, junior transfer Kathleen Johnson, sophomores Howell and Trinity Watts, and freshmen Sania Petties and Camille Hanna.

“We were so deep that no one could stop us,” said Byrd.

That was definitely the case in SPC because her team won the South Zone with a 6-0 record, and beat its three tournament opponents (Fort Worth Country Day, The Episcopal School of Dallas, and Houston Christian) in a combined 10 sets.

Mylana and Kansas finished their high school careers as champions. Both know the team’s depth was the difference in this year’s run, and will keep the program in contention for years to come.

“It feels awesome,” Kansas said of finishing her career on top. “I’m excited to see how this team is going to do next year.”

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