After dropping the first game of the best-of-five match, Savannah Arts Academy's volleyball team defeated Columbus High School to earn its first-ever trip to the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Class 2A State Volleyball Championships. After falling short in the GHSA Final Four playoffs for three consecutive seasons, the Panthers finally broke through, showcasing grit and determination, stated Savannah Arts Academy Head Coach Lauren Lord.
"To see this program grow so much and make it to the championship is amazing," said Coach Lord. "This team was super determined to do something that hadn't been done before. Columbus was a tough opponent, but our girls were determined to make a statement."
Despite losing the first game 25-21, Savannah Arts rallied, taking the following three games 25-16, 25-19, and 25-15. Leading the Panthers was senior Torrin Higginbotham, who was a force with 32 kills. Junior Maggie Allen stood out with 15 digs, five aces, and four assists. Senior setter Lillie Coffey, who recently passed the 2500 assist cheer milestone, had 28 assists. Freshman Ellie Ayala closed the game with one of her 12 kills to secure a historic victory and moment for the Arts Academy.
According to Coach Lord, the Panthers are the first public school from the Savannah Chatham County Public Schools (SCCPSS) volleyball team to reach the state finals. "The girls are absolutely excited. They might feel some nerves, but they've shown resilience all season," said Coach Lord. "This achievement means a lot to our school and the SCCPSS community and shows we're continuing to grow volleyball in the public schools." Lord stated the Panthers would be prepared to play an outstanding team, the #1 seed in Morgan County.
Coach Lord shared her thoughts on the matchup, "We were able to watch Morgan County's game before ours, and they're a very good team. We have film on them, and I believe our girls can keep up. With the determination this team has shown, it will be a really good game and a great matchup."
Savannah Arts Academy will face Morgan County in the GHSA Class 2A Championship on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at the LakePoint Sports Complex in Cartersville, Georgia. Go Panthers!
GHSA STATE VOLLEYBALL BRACKETS
PHOTO: Courtesy Savannah Arts Academy Volleyball program
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