Printed in the Post Searchlight 9/13/2016
The Grace Christian Academy volleyball team defeated Memorial Day School in straight sets on Friday to extend their winning streak to seven matches. The Lady Cougars (7-0) won 25-7 in the first set, 25-5 in the second and 25-9 in the third set to clinch the match.
Through seven matches this season the Lady Cougars have only dropped one set, a 22-25 loss to First Presbyterian in the second match of a double header.
“They work hard together,” head coach Candice Walker said. “They play well together. They’re united in the way they do things.”
Walker said that so far this season her four seniors, Kaitlyn Holcombe, Sarah Castoro, McKenzie Brown and Addie Elkins, have emerged as the clear leaders of the team.
“It’s really all my seniors,” Walker said. “Sarah’s my great back row player. She’s my libero. She’s constantly good and the one lifting the team up. Addie, if there’s a down day she lifts the team up. Kaitlyn and McKenzie are just there and ready to help.”
As a whole the team has been led by its strong performance on defense. As the libero, Castoro sets the tone on defense.
“Especially on the court its like I tell my players that are needing to step up ‘be Sarah,’” Walker said. “What we would call a ball hog. She’s there. She’s digging the ball. Getting to the ball at whatever cost it takes.”
Sophomore Abby Mills has also emerged as a key player for the Lady Cougars.
“Abbie is going to be great,” Walker said. “She’s a really strong outside hitter. She’s definitely got that potential. She has a really good serve and she’s a really good outside hitter.”
The Lady Cougars traveled to Valdosta on Tuesday and return home for a match against RF Munroe School on Thursday at 6 p.m. and two make-up games against North Florida Christian on Saturday starting at 9 a.m.
