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PAGE 2B
BANKS COUNTY NEWS
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2023
Volleyball: Celebrates Senior Night, wins three games
By HANNAH CAUDELL
The Lady Leopards Vol
leyball team ended their reg
ular season last week with
two more region matches
on Tuesday and two regular
matches on Thursday.
and be ready. But these
girls have everything it
takes to continue to break
traditions.”
This week, the Lady
Leopards will travel to
Providence Christian Acad
emy on Saturday, Oct. 14,
for the area playoffs.
The first game for the
Lady Leopards begins at
10 a.m„ followed by anoth
er match at 12 p.m.
AGAINST ATHENS
ACADEMY
On Tuesday, the Lady
Leopards played six sets
total, battling the Athens
Academy Lady Spartans
and the Providence Chris
tian Lady Storm.
It was once again a close
game against the Lady Spar
tans, but the Lady Leopards
persevered into the third set
and won with set scores of
25-22 (L), 25-17 (W), and
15-6 (W).
However, they ended
the night with a close loss
against the Lady Storm with
set scores of 25-21 (W), 25-
16 (L), and 15-11 (L).
On Thursday, the Lady
Leopards won both matches
against the Franklin Coun
ty Lady Lions and the East
Hall Lady Vikings.
The team won against
Franklin with set scores of
25-16, 25-21. Against East
Hall, the Lady Leopards
won with set scores of 25-
15,25-14.
The Lady Leopards also
celebrated their senior night
on Thursday with balloons,
photos, and many tearful
hugs.
The team also decided
to celebrate the other se
niors present from Franklin
County and East Hall with
recognition and gifts.
“This is the group that
started it all,” Coach Whit-
tney LaHayne said about
the seniors, including Lola
Pruitt, Caitlin Bernier, Addi
son Hoard, Raeden Hunter,
Bacey Ausburn. and Lillee
Parson. “They have been
able to shape and make this
program what it is today.”
Coach LaHayne contin
ued by detailing the mark
that the seniors have not
only left on the program,
but their teammates and
coaches.
“I am going to miss each
of them individually be
cause they each bring some
thing special and unique
to our program,” LaHayne
said. “They have exem
plified the true essence of
teamwork, dedication, and
sportsmanship throughout
the years that will leave
an indelible mark on our
schooFs volleyball pro
gram.:
The coach added, “As
seniors, their leadership
has not only elevated the
game, but also inspired
their younger teammates
and coaches. I pray that
the skills they have honed
and the lessons they have
learned on the court extend
even further to guide them
in all their future endeavors.
I have no doubt that each of
them will achieve greatness
in their own unique ways.
As they step into the next
chapter of their lives, may
they spike every opportuni
ty, set their goals high, and
serve as inspirations to us
all!”
The Lady Leopards have
now ended their regular
season with a 28-8 record.
They also have a 7-3 record
in the region and finish in
second place in the 2A Re
gion 8 competition.
“Our motto this season
was breaking tradition, and
the girls have done just
that,” Coach LaHayne said.
“We broke all of our previ
ous records with 28-8, we
went on a 12 game winning
streak, which has never been
done before, and we had
players beat career records
in digging, kills, setting, and
more. They came to make a
statement this year, and they
did just that!”
LaHayne also expressed
her excitement as the girls
advanced to the area and
state playoffs.
“Going into our area play
offs, we just have to set our
minds on the game at hand,”
Coach LaHayne said. “We
will go up against some
good teams and we have to
prepare
Senior Lola Pruitt leaps to make one of her signature serves at the base line.
Senior Lillee Parson gets under the ball for a dig.
Fun By The Numbers
2
7
1
7
2
4
8
2
5
4
6
9
2
8
9
7
3
6
8
5
4
9
8
5
6
Senior Bacey Ausburn dives for the ball for it can hit the ground.