The Tigers volleyball team finished its season with a 26-3 record, falling in the third round of the state playoffs, where the team was the #1 seed in the 4A Eastern conference.
In addition to the Eastern conference seed, the Tigers went undefeated in the DAC VII conference, edging out East Chapel Hill High School by three wins.
The Tigers cruised to victories in the opening two rounds of the state playoffs, sweeping both Fuquay Varina & Laney High School 3-0 at home, before Cardinal Gibbons defeated the Tigers in straight sets on October 27.
Junior outside hitter Laynie Smith, who recently committed to play for the University of Illinois, led the team in hitting percentage at 0.434 and kills, tallying 309 on the season.
“I think that we had a very successful season,” Smith said. “I thought that we played very well together as a team, but we just fell short at the end.”
Senior right-side hitter Carly Sciborski, who will play for American University in 2023, echoed Smith’s sentiments.
“I wish we could have just a little more time,” Sciborski said.
The Tigers demonstrated their strength in a 3-0 sweep against Sun Valley High School, ranked 2nd in the 4A West division, at home on Friday October 7.
“I think everyone was really excited. We all were confident that we had a lot of potential. Everyone was passionate and ready to get on the court, and we were particularly excited for the new players joining the program,” junior defensive player Abbey Carruthers said.
The careers of four Tiger players drew to an end, including senior Amber Jarecki-Meyers, who will play next year for the College of William & Mary, but the Tigers will return a strong nucleus of players and look forward to another deep run in the state playoffs.
Junior libero Cady Cox, who led the team in digs per set and receptions, is one of eight juniors expected to return next year.
“I feel like our season was just cut short,” Cox said. “Next year, I think the team will continue to improve and make a deep playoff run in states!”
