The vision of volleyball success on the largest stage has come vicariously through their older siblings’ exploits. The images were constructed from all of those moments of cheering from the bleachers of different gymnasiums.

One day, though, witnessing someone else’s achievements spurred aspirations of chasing and attaining their own glory. Hoisting a trophy and having a gold medal draped around their necks, along with their teammates, were parts of the grand deal.
The dream is now another step closer to becoming a reality for Davenport High School’s Sarah Chabot and Kylie Dahl. The Wolves (35-11) are in the UIL Class 4A Division I state semifinals for the third time in the past four seasons. They face Salado (43-6) at 4 p.m. Saturday at Littleton Gym in the second match of a doubleheader. Wimberley (45-4) takes on Madisonville (41-5) at 1 p.m. in the 4A Division II state semifinals. Salado rolled past longtime power Bellville 25-16, 25-16, 25-11 in the Region III-4A Division I final.
Emily Chabot, Sarah’s older sister, was a setter/defensive specialist on Davenport’s 2023 state championship team and had 43 assists, 18 digs and five aces in the team’s 22-25, 22-25, 25-21, 25-20, 17-15 triumph over Canyon Randall in the state final at the Culwell Center in Garland. Lexi Dahl, a freshman at the University of Tulsa and one of Kylie Dahl’s older sisters, was a sophomore and had a triple-double in the title contest with 10 kills, 13 assists and 19 digs.

“Definitely getting to play with my middle sister (Lexi) was a blessing,” Kylie Dahl said. “We made it to the state semifinals (in 2024). Being able to do that with this team, and different people, is like a blessing again. I would’ve never thought I’d get this opportunity twice.”
Davenport has another opportunity to scale the mountaintop because it romped past District 27-4A foe Kerrville Tivy 25-18, 25-21, 25-19 on Tuesday. Kerrville Tivy had beaten the Wolves three times during the regular season, including twice in five-set matches during district play and once at a tournament.
With the stakes at their highest, Davenport rode tough serving (nine aces), led by Tenley Hamlin and Chabot, and an offense, headlined by McKenzie Meyers, Aliyah Beauford, Presley Sigman, Taylor Stumbaugh and Aubrey Dyson, that showcased power and finesse en route to a triumph over the Antlers (30-16).
“A lot of good practices as a team,” Stumbaugh said of a big key to the win. “We’re all really happy to be here.”
For two Davenport players, they have been here before in a way. The first time, three years ago, they were spectators. This time, they hope to come away as champions.
“I always looked up to (my sister Emily),” said Wolves senior setter/defensive specialist Sarah Chabot. “Seeing her play on the court has always been amazing. She worked so hard. It feels unreal just being in the spot that she was.”
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