HCHS senior middle hitter Ansley Hendrix goes for a score in Saturday’s Class 6-A matchup against Allatoona. (Daniel Purcell/Now Habersham)
Coming off an amazing season, the Habersham Central High School Lady Raiders Volleyball Team stumbled in the first round of the 2019 GHSA Class AAAAAA State Volleyball Championship.
The Raiders lost three straight sets (12-25, 21-25, 16-25) to the #2 seed from Area 6, Allatoona at Charles R. Drew High School in Riverdale on October 19.
“Coaching a group like this has been an incredible blessing for me and my staff.”
Early in the season the Raiders seemed destined to advance farther in the playoffs after a spectacular winning streak. Still, despite their earlier-than-hoped-for exit from State, Coach Lindsay Herrin says there’s plenty of reason to be proud.
“This season was definitely one for the record books. We went on a 19-0 streak before picking up our first loss to eventual region champion, Apalachee. In regular season play, we stayed undefeated against non-region opponents which is an amazing accomplishment, and our team chemistry was the best I have ever experienced,” Herrin tells Now Habersham.
“These girls love each other, love volleyball, and all have a strong desire to win. Coaching a group like this has been an incredible blessing for me and my staff. I hate to see our season end and to lose my 7 seniors, but these girls achieved something that I don’t think has been done in Habersham Volleyball… they went undefeated in non-region play, had the best win/loss record to date, and the seniors have been part of three state-qualifying seasons. They have a lot to be proud of!”
The Raiders ended their season 30-5 overall and 9-3 in the region. The Lady Buccaneers from Allatoona upped their season record to 33-14 overall, 10-4 in the region.
The Lady Bucs now advance to the second round of the state tournament against Drew on October 23.
Lady Raiders’ end of season stats
- Alexandra Shalikashvili – 339 kills, 18 blocks, 246 digs, 54 aces
- Sydney Brookshire – 99% serve, 16 aces, 92% passing out of serve/receive (34 errors on 411 attempts), 372 digs
- Ansley Hendrix – 178 kills, 34 blocks, 144 digs, 52 aces
- Rachel Smith – 21 aces, 21 kills, 19 blocks, 102 digs, 719 assists
- Haley Rice – 48 aces, 194 digs
- Madeline Koshuta – 21 aces, 201 kills, 8 blocks, 101 digs
- Kelsey Anderson – 54 kills, 34 blocks, 16 digs
- Maggie Cheek – 26 kills, 20 blocks, 18 digs
- Maddie Chosewood – 9 aces, 58 kills, 9 blocks, 24 digs
- Ansley McAllister – 5 aces, 21 kills, 2 blocks, 31 digs
- Molly Butler – 3 aces, 6 blocks, 72 assists, 23 digs
- Camryn Fricks – 2 aces, 11 kills, 3 blocks, 12 digs
Life in Motion: Seasons end
