On Saturday, Oct. 31 the girls’ volleyball team faced Lake Brantley in the Elite 8, FHSAA 7A Regional Semifinal. Hagerty won the first set 31-29, but couldn’t maintain as Lake Brantley won the last three sets (25-20,25-18,25-10), eliminating us from the playoffs. 

“Our team felt confident going into the game on Saturday,” middle Madison Drewry said. “We had a lot of good energy and I think we were a bit too confident.”

Even though they did not get the turnout they hoped for, losing 3-1 to Lake Brantley. After the second set, the game took a riveting turn, there was no energy or effort anymore.

“After the third set, it looked like we didn’t even know how to play volleyball,” outside hitter Olivia Price said.

Overall, the team went 15-6 on their shortened season, with many players developing and some even breaking records throughout the season. Outside hitter Alina Carrillo broke the school record for kills in a game. Hagerty’s girls volleyball program is the only program in history that has won districts the past six years in a row.

The postseason was a success for the team, even though they did not go as far as they wanted to head coach Juanita Hitt is proud of them.

“I am very proud of this team. I think a lot of people thought we weren’t going to be that good after losing 7 seniors and 5 starters,” Hitt said. “This team carried on the great tradition and strength of our program and the future is bright.”

On Wednesday, Oct. 28 prior to the Lake Brantley game, the girls’ varsity volleyball team had a comeback victory against Winter Park to advance them to the FHSAA 7A Regional Semifinal.

The first two sets were not the way Hagerty expected it to go, with back to back losses, 25-13 and 22-25. They came out flat, and Winter Park came out hungry and dominated them during the first half of the game. 

“We looked like we didn’t know what we were doing but after [coach Hitt] made the change to push one of our outsides to play second right side after the second set, and we really turned it around for the victory,” Price said.

By beating Winter Park on Wednesday night, the team advanced to the Elite 8, waiting to play the winner of the East Ridge versus Lake Brantley game. 

“Our team has grown so much over the season and become closer,” said Drewry. “We have gotten so much stronger as a team, and I am proud of our progress.”