The varsity volleyball team won three of their final four matches of the season and will enter the Area Tournament as the No. 3 seed.
On Tuesday, Sept. 27, they had an intense final regular season match as they defeated Cartersville in a best-of-5. They won the first two games 25-11 and 25-11 before falling in the third game 20-25. They bounced back and edged Cartersville 27-25 in the fourth game to win the match. They were led by senior Carrie Simon’s 10 kills and 3 aces. Anna Kate Dulaney had 8 kills and Mary Lyn Stegall added 7. Bailey Brock had 30 assists and 3 aces.
Thursday, Sept. 22, was Senior Night, otherwise known as “Carrie Simon Night.” Simon is a four-year varsity team member and the only senior on the 2011 squad.
“Carrie is the true leader of our team," said coach Theresa Dulaney. "She leads the team in kills and is highly respected by her teammates on and off the court.”
Simon added, “Sometimes it is a lot of pressure being the only senior, but it is also very rewarding.”
In the three Senior Night matches, the girls defeated Coosa (25-3, 25-12) and Chattooga (25-3, 25-11) before falling to Gordon Lee (14-25, 21-25).
The Lady Tigers finished the regular season 28-12 overall and 10-2 in the Area, but they have not yet reached their goals.
“We really want to win the Area tournament and reach the Elite 8 in the State tournament," Simon said. "We made it to the Sweet 16 last year at State, and this year we want to do better. Our overall team goal all season is to ‘leave a mark on the other team,’ and we have definitely done that!"
The opening rounds of the Area tournament will be Monday and Tuesday at the Huffman Center, and the team is looking for revenge against the top two seeds. Gordon Lee, the No. 2 seed, swept Darlington in two matches this year. The girls split two matches with top-seeded Sonoraville, who will host the Area Finals on Thursday night.
Dulaney is coaching the varsity volleyball team for the first time. “My first year has been great," she said. "I have enjoyed working with the girls and am very proud.”
Simon feels the same way about Dulaney and credits community coach Ed Hunt with the consistency of the team over the last few years. “I have had a lot of coaches over the years but Coach Hunt has always been there," she said. "Our strategy and Darlington volleyball have remained constant.”
Looking back on her high school career, Simon said making varsity as a freshman was a highlight. “Winning the Darlington Invitational my sophomore year was awesome because there were 20 or 25 teams there," she added.
Simon plans to continue her volleyball career after high school, and is in the midst of her college decision-making process.
Photos of senior night
