BUDA – After falling a step short of state last season, the Dripping Springs Tiger volleyball team Saturday made sure they didn’t let a similar opportunity slip through their fingers again.

Sixteen kills from sophomore Mackenzie Plante powered Dripping Springs in a heart-pounding 25-19, 23-25, 25-19, 25-23 5A, Region IV final victory over the New Braunfels Canyon Cougars, the third meeting in roughly three months between the two district foes. .

Dripping Springs (22-5) advances to the...