The Lady Rebel Volleyball team secured the Region 3-6A District Championship and 6A South State title and made history by playing for a state title for the first time ever.
To secure the South State title the Lady Rebels had to beat Hancock. In three sets(25-15, 25-19, 25-16), they had secured the victory.
“It feels really good to beat them because we didn’t beat them during pre-season. We were ready for a fight so it felt good to get it done in three,” Sophomore Mallory King said.
With this win they were the first GCHS volleyball team to win South State and compete for state.
“We’ve definitely worked for it. We didn’t spend one day off during fall break. We worked every single day. It has definitely paid off, and I’m just very proud of my team,” Senior Ella Dean said.
Hancock has put the Lady Rebels out the past two years in South State, so beating them this year was the icing on the cake of a great season.
“We set our sights on them early on. . . Last year we just weren’t meant to win, but I think it just fueled us more for this year,” Coach Laney Christian said.
Achieving this much is a reflection of what these girls were capable of.
“It feels really amazing because a bunch of us girls have been playing together for a few years and it makes it such a special experience,” Junior Lexi Eubanks said.
Highlights from the season include Seniors Aryana Dixon, Lani McDoniel and Jordyn Bradley hitting the milestone of 500 kills. Senior Blakely Slay also had 1,000 digs. They began their kill and dig streaks freshman year on varsity.
“They were my first group to take on as a head coach here at George County. We have been together their entire volleyball career and my whole head coaching career. . . I don’t really know what George County Volleyball looks like without them,” Christian said.
Editor’s Note: State results were not available at press time.