The Newcastle Bobcats (7-2, 2-0 in District 9-1A Division I) needed a win at Bryson to finish an undefeated district run and claim another district championship, according to the report. Head coach Isaiah Archer said he hoped the team would close out district strongly. A Bryson win could leave three teams tied at the top if Vernon Northside beat Perrin-Whitt, in which case a tie-breaker would decide the two playoff teams from the district. The Bobcats play the runner-up from District 10-1A Division I in the bi-district playoffs, set for Nov. 12-14.
The Newcastle Ladycats advanced past Woodson (14-12) in a Class 1A bi-district match on Oct. 29 at Bryson, winning 3-2. Their season ended Nov. 3 in Henrietta with a 3-0 loss to Harrold (35-4), the No. 1 team in Class 1A. The Ladycats finished 24-14 overall and third in District 11-1A at 5-3. This was the team's seventh straight season reaching the playoffs.
Ladycats head coach Ashley Archer said Woodson's aggressiveness caught the team off guard early in the first set. She said the team later found its rhythm and praised the team's effort and encouragement. Archer said the Ladycats competed well against Harrold and should be proud of their performance.