At the high school, females have transformed their teams into powerful programs filled with determination, teamwork and championship-level talent.
“They are a phenomenal group of girls, and I’ve said that since day one when they walked in for volleyball tryouts. Knowing that these girls got it. I remember calling my sister and saying we’re going to win championships,” volleyball coach Laney Christian said.
In recent years Lady Rebel volleyball, softball and other teams have had extraordinary seasons. Volleyball and softball both made it to state, and softball became State champions and volleyball became .
Players and coaches say their achievements are not just from being good, it is from a lot of efforts, teamwork and companionship.
“In our program, we have a mindset of we are going to compete in every single thing that we do whether that be on the softball field against an opponent, in the weight room against your own teammates, or in the classroom; we just like to compete in everything we do,” softball coach Anna Rigby said.
In the last four years, the softball team has won two championships and has gone to South State three times. Their dedication and admiration for the sport have surely helped their motivation.
While they might be small, they are mighty. The Lady Rebel volleyball team has accomplished every goal that they set out for themselves, all except one: winning the state.
“We made it there, we made it to that stage, but we still want more.” Christian said. “We have more to work on there, but we will get there. I’m really proud of what we accomplished with what we have.”
This year, they won the South State title and have competed in the South State championship for the last three years.
Senior Addison Davis has played softball throughout her entire high school career. During her freshman year, the team won the state championship and then won again her junior year.
“Well, I started playing softball when I was 11. My dad and my brother and my momma all really pushed me to get into softball. I had told them a bunch of times no, and my dad had a friend who taught pitching lessons and so I was like, you know what, I should give this a shot, and she’s motivated me all through my career,” Davis said.
Last year, Softball took the state title
Along with softball and volleyball, soccer has also had its success.
Sophomore Olivia Tanner has been playing since she was five years old.
“I love it with everything in me. I have played in travel teams and even in a boys’ travel team at once,” Tanner said. “ It feels amazing to have an impact as a girl in sports… seeing other girls do good in sports like softball really excites me because everyone talks about the boys’ sports like football, baseball and even the boys’ soccer team winning last year, but really the girls’ sports may not be as big, but we are growing.”
The community has been very supportive of all the success the the Lady Rebel teams have had, and crowds at volleyball and softball games have increased.
“Growing up, we all played sports, and we all played together, but we’ve always believed in each other, great coaches and a community that cares about us. God has really blessed us,” Davis said.
“We actually had the best showing of students this year, they weren’t there for every game, but they were there… The past two years, we have hardly had any students in the stands, but this year was good, I’m very thankful for that. I hope we have more big crowds for future games because it makes for fun energy,” Christian said. “if you have some spare time or somebody that you really want to come watch, you’re not going to be disappointed.”
The Lady Rebel teams continue to compete during their seasons at George County High School. These athletes display passion and strength.