RWA senior Emily Brigman power hits from the right side to score a kill for the Lady Eagle team. (Photo/Martha Ladd)
ANDERSON – The volleyball regular season closed out for the Richard Winn Lady Eagles with Tuesday’s final match played at Anderson Christian. After having comfortably defeated this same team in the Eagles’ Nest a week and a half earlier, the varsity’s disappointing three-game loss to the Lady Lions dropped the Lady Eagles from their first place tie with Laurens Academy for the region title.
The Lady Eagles had been clicking along, capturing victory after victory, until they hit a slump during the school’s homecoming week that resulted in a three-match losing streak (York Prep, Laurens and Wardlaw) in their very busy four- match week. However, they got back on track and into the win column with a region victory over Anderson Christian in Thursday’s final match of that week.
Currently the Lady Eagles hold a 16-5 record. Their most recent victory came as they defeated region opponent Cambridge Academy in three straight games (25-16, 25-18, 25-12) during Monday’s final home match. It was also celebrated as Senior Night for RWA’s three senior volley girls – Cassidy Branham, Emily Brigman and Cassie Rae Cantrell. These young ladies and their parents were honored following the match, and each player was presented with a yellow rose and photo poster from her underclassmen teammates. A reception followed the Senior Night ceremony for players and their family members.
Additionally, another special event took place this same evening. In recognition of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness month, the varsity volleyball team wore special pink pre-game shirts and honored RWA faculty member Amelia Ellison prior to the match in support of her ongoing battle against breast cancer.
The Lady Eagles now move into post season action as both the JV and varsity teams will participate in the first annual Cherokee County/Upward Star Center Volleyball Invitational Tournament in Spartanburg this weekend. The competition will feature both public and private schools in the new Upward Star Center facility.
RWA coach Callie Sims and her varsity players will be awaiting word early next week from the SCISA Athletic Office as to their seeding and first round opponent in the Class-A SCISA State Tournament. Those playoffs will be held Oct. 16-18 at a location to be determined.