It was already 2-1 in the regional semifinals, and Timber Creek had the lead by 10 in the fourth set over the girls varsity volleyball team. The girls realized that this was going to be their last match, and six seniors were ending long, decorated high school careers.
“We used all of our energy in winning the first set,” designated server Madelyn Schwartz said. “We definitely thought that we would just keep winning, but we did not.”
The team ultimately ended up losing 3-1(25-21, 25-22, 25-15, 25-17). Even though the outcome was not what the team expected, they had multiple accomplishments to look back on.
The team beat Oviedo all three times they played them this season, not letting Oviedo win a single set in any match. As with every accomplishment for the team, seniors led the way.
Libero Mayte Camacho had 52 digs and 51 serve receives, outside hitter Abby Mas had 44 kills and outside hitter Sophia Marini had 22 kills combined against Oviedo.
“We beat them every single time we played them, we have not done that since 2016,” coach Juanita Hitt said. “We won the conference championship because of it.”
Even though beating Oviedo was important for this group of seniors, they have accomplished much more than winning against a rival during the course of their high school career.
Over the past four years, they have won two district championships, two conference championships, one regional championship and were state runner-ups last season.
“Every senior was on the team last year when we went to states and we all made an impact,” Camacho said. “It was huge for us and meant so much.”
Not only did the seniors have accomplishments as a group, they had personal ones as well. Camacho hit 1000 digs over her high school career early on this season, and is committed to Georgia Southern University.
Along with Camacho, Mas committed to Wingate University in North Carolina, and setter Emma Greenier committed to Limestone University in South Carolina.
“The one thing that is so special about this group of seniors is how well they played and got along together,” Hitt said. “When a team is player-led, it says a lot about how the girls develop as players and teammates.”
Every senior on the team contributed, whether it was from helping build up statistics or support from the sidelines, and ultimately they worked together to accomplish everything they did.
Designated server Mina Stevens and Schwartz are described as versatile and always having a positive attitude, and both were put in multiple positions throughout the past years and adjusted well every time, according to Hitt.
While the accomplishments of this group will be hard to match, Hitt will always remember the positive energy of these seniors, and she hopes they all continue to enjoy the game.
