The fall sports season is beginning to wind down for high schools in 2009. Pee Dee Academy's athletes find themselves all in very familiar territory ... the state playoffs.
For 29 consecutive years, the Golden Eagles varsity volleyball squad has made it to the state tournament. They would bow out to Richard Winn in the semi-finals, but not before another impressive showing and run at the gold.
The final record for coach Lori Ann Rogers' squad was 24-5 overall and 12-1 in region as they captured their eighth region crown in nine years.
“We lost six players from last year's squad that went to the state title game," Rogers said. "So, it says a lot for our girls that they rebounded they way they did and that they played so well together. There were no real standouts, they were very team-oriented and they all worked very hard to improve their games."
Along with the region title, the Lady Golden Eagles also won the Best of the Beach Tournament at Carolina Forrest. The tournament featured 12 area teams with PDA being the only private school squad.
Garnering All-Region honors for volleyball were Jeffre Rogers, Kali Jacobs, Anna Shelley and Region Player of the Year Katelyn Browne.
Rogers also won Coach Of The Year honors for the region.
Browne and Rogers were also named to the All-State teams.
Jerry Coleman's tennis team also brought home it's share of accolades this season. Finishing with a 22-3 overall record, the Lady Golden Eagles finished second in their region and advanced to the state tournament.
After defeating Holly Hill in the first round, Colleton Prep won 6-3 over Pee Dee in the state semi-finals in a match that took four and a half hours to complete.
"Our girls deserve all the credit in the world," Coleman said. "Especially our seniors. They worked hard week in and week out, going to clinics and pushing for improvement.”
Coleman is in his second year as head tennis coach and believes his team really came together following a 5-4 win over region foe, King's Academy. "We trailed in that match 4-2 going into the doubles matches," Coleman said. "When we swept doubles and took the win, I really believe that was when our girls realized they could do it."
”I cannot say thank you enough to the girls for their effort, to the parents for always being there to drive the girls to games and prepare food, to the Mullins Recreation Department for the use of their courts and to the Booster Club for their constant support," he said.
Both junior varsity squads finished successful campaigns, going undefeated, making things look bright for the future of these two athletic programs as well.
PDA varsity football team closed out their season with a 46-24 region win at home over Robert E. Lee. The victory finishes the conference season with a 3-2 record for the Golden Eagles and propelled them into the playoffs. This Friday night, they will go on the road versus an opponent that was yet to be determined.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement