Pee Dee Academy JV team finishes year undefeated

For nearly the plast 30 years, Pee Dee Academy volleyball and success have been as synonymous as Forrest Gump and a box of chocolates, we have yet to have one without the other.

For the 28th consecutive year, the varsity Golden Eagles qualified for the state playoffs. And, the junior varsity squad has been just as dominant in their own way. In 2008, they won their eighth conference title in nine years. And, did so by going undefeated at 13-0.

Coach Lori Ann Rogers praised her young JV team for their success despite the new faces.  “We were missing three starters from last year’s team with players unable to return and some moving up to varsity. Our new girls had to learn quickly and they did.“

Renee Richardson and Taylor Webster were team captains. Lee Pittman and Heather Gibson played the middle for the Golden Eagles while Kayla Estes and Hannah Gleason were the team leaders in kills from their outside hitter positions.

This year’s varsity team rolled into the SCISA State Tournament in Sumter with a sparkling record of 23-1 and with three titles already under their belt. Along with the regular season conference championship, the Golden Eagles won the SCISA Preseason Tournament and the Carolina Forest Invitational, a 12-team tournament that feautured Pee Dee and 11 public schools.

On the first day of the state tournament, the Golden Eagles dispatched Dorchester and First Baptist in straight sets. Then, when they returned on Saturday, they continued to move up in the winner’s bracket as they outlasted Colleton Prep and a three-set shootout. The third set of that match was won in come-from-behind fashion, 26-24. This set up a date with the 2006 champions, Spartanburg Christian, for the upper state title.

Rogers’ squad had not returned to the state championship match since 2003, when it last won the crown. They took out Spartanburg in two straight to advance to the title bout with the defending champions, Holly Hill.

The Golden Eagles and the Raiders matched each other punch for punch as the powerhouses traded devastating kills, tenacious blocks and amazing digs. 
In the opening set, Pee Dee had Holly Hill on the ropes, but were unable to put them away, falling by a 28-26 score. With the second set tied at 15 each, the Raiders reeled off 10 straight to take a 2-0 lead. In the third, the Golden Eagles jumped out quickly, leading 11-2. But, they were unable to sustain and the Raiders rallied to a 25-23 victory, sweeping the three sets and claiming the state championship.

In the final match, senior Rachel Hester tallied three aces, eight kills and three blocks. Fellow seniors Kelsey Dozier and Katherine Rogers combined for seven kills, five blocks and two digs. Setters, Anna Shelly and Christen Bucy, combined for 14 assists. The duo of Ginni Reaves McMillan and Kali Jacobs totalled 14 digs and six aces in the final game.

Rogers spoke highly of her squad after the championship tilt. “I am very proud of what these girls accomplished. They have played together so long and they want to improve, want the extra practice and want to listen. A coach cannot ask for a better group.“ The varsity volleyball team finished with a record of 27-3, holding five team titles at the end of the season.

Katherine Rogers, Jeffre Rogers and Kelsey Dozier were named to the All-Conference team after the season was completed. And, Rachel Hester was named the Region Most Valuable Player.

Hester and Dozier were also named to the South Carolina All-State squad while both Katherine and Jeffre Rogers were named to the North-South Team.