GARLAND – Juxtaposed against heartache on the court of the Curtis Cullwell Center Friday, members of the Dripping Springs volleyball team couldn’t help but flash a quick smile once a state semifinalist medal was draped around their necks.

Understandably, it wasn’t exactly the color medal they had sought when they entered the weekend. Dripping Springs’ quest for a second gold medal since 2015 was dashed by a powerful and talented Lucas Lovejoy Leopards squad, who swept the...