(by Don Meador)
Arguably the most successful season to date for the Allen County-Scottsville Lady Patriot volleyball team ended last week with a 3-0 (25-7, 25-11, 25-11) lost to the Greenwood Lady Gators in the quarterfinal round of the Region 4 tournament in Russellville.
The Lady Gators (22-16) used their athleticism and skills to dominate the Lady Patriots. Greenwood sprinted to a strong first set win before pulling away with stong serving in both the second and third sets. The Lady Gators would advance past AC-S, down Logan County in the semifinals, but fall to Bowling Green in the title game.
For the Lady Patriots (24-15), the squad closed the year with a program-record 24 wins and a fifth consecutive District tournament title.
“I am so proud of this year's group,” coach Cameron Cook said afterwards. “It has been a roller coaster of a year and these girls have overcome so much. They worked so hard from March conditioning until mid-October for an opportunity to compete at a high level. Through injuries and Covid quarantines, these girls stuck together and found a way to compete every time we hit the floor. They are warriors and it is a blessing to coach them. The 24 wins and a district championship doesn’t happen because of who the coach is or what offense you run, it happens because of what goes on with the team. They have a special bond that caused this and I am honored to have enjoyed this ride with them.”
Cook added that his squad played well against some of the top competition in the state.
“These girls pulled together and executed clean games against top tier competition,” Cook explained. “ It wasn’t always pretty, but their fight was never in question. This group knocked down plenty of barriers for our program and set the groundwork for success to come. I’m thankful for how God has blessed our team and coaching staff over the past year. Nothing means more to me than when those kids would meet in the middle of the floor every time before the match started and give glory to God through their prayer. Wins and losses are going to happen, one thing that this team kept constant is keeping their eyes fixed on the ultimate prize. That is what I am most thankful for.”
The seniors of Layla Carter, Chloe Cook, Olivia Coulter, Madison Lynch, and Maddie Stallings completed their five year careers with 87 wins---the most combined wins for a senior class in the 21-year history of Lady Patriot volleyball.
“This senior group is special to me for many reasons, but I think what I enjoy the most is how they pull this team together,” Cook noted. “Those five young ladies each had their own way of acting as glue to our team. I always felt like I could count on our seniors to right the ship if it needed to be and to keep everyone focused in. They led the way and it has been an absolute privilege to be a small part of their volleyball journey.”
Looking at the final season stats, Chloe Cook led the team with 195 kills, recorded 137 assists, registered 247 digs, and had 55 aces. Carter knocked down 121 kills, led the squad with 266, had 155 digs, and served a team-best 80 aces. Lynch finished with 240 digs while Coulter recorded 60 kills. Stallings’ season ended with an early leg injury
A talented group is expected to return next year. Ana Walker will be among the top front-line players in the area while Ava Kinslow, Jaedyn Mosby, Leyla Spurlock, and Georgie Tabor will provide both defensive support and offensive efficiency.