Pflugerville prepares for state

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Pflugerville is back in the state tournament for the first time since 2009. This weekend will cap off a run where the Panthers have lost just once in the last two seasons.

"I'd have to really sit down and think about it," head coach Nancy Walling said. "When I think about it, I get all emotional, probably just tear up. But it's pretty cool. It's something that they're gonna remember for the rest of their lives."

Last year, the Panthers' season ended to the Woodlands in the regional quarterfinals.

"Just losing that one game last year was very defeating," senior Jonelle Smith said. "But now, undefeated and going to state, that's a wonderful feeling."

It'll be Pflugerville's seventh appearance in the state tournament, and the fourth time Walling has been there as a coach.

"It's really exciting," senior Diana Omozee said. "Finally, after two years of being on varsity and having that expectation, we finally reached it. It's almost surreal because you always expect it to happen, but now that it's finally here, it's like, wow, all the hard work we put in finally is paying off."

The Panthers are one of only two undefeated teams out of all 24 teams compete for a state title in all five classes. Duncanville, which is making its 22nd appearance in the state tournament is the other undefeated team.

If Pflugerville beats Cibolo Steele at 8:30 on Friday, and Duncanville wins over League City Clear Springs, they'll both meet for the 5A state championship on Saturday at 8:30.

Despite taking Pflugerville to four state tournaments and having over 600 wins, Walling has never made it past the state semifinals.

"I really wanna go in history," Smith said. "I've been thinking about that since the beginning of the season. I wanna make history this year."