Golden Bears Are State Volleyball Champs!

The Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School (HIES) volleyball team has won the state championship… again! Coach Taylor Noland’s squad became the first Golden Bear team in any sport to repeat as state champs when they swept Lovett Nov. 1 to take the Class AA crown.

A year ago to the day, HIES had topped Hebron Christian to take the Class A title before being bumped up a classification before this school year.

This year’s championship was perhaps more impressive, however, since Noland’s squad cruised through the playoffs without dropping a set, sweeping Model, Coosa, St. Vincent’s and the Lovett Lions. Saturday’s Scores from the state playoff match were 25-22, 25-20, and 30-28.

The biggest nail-biting set was the final one, as the Bears found themselves down 17-12 and didn’t catch Lovett until 19-all. Still, Lovett battled to a 24-21 lead and appeared to be in control. Lovett errors, however, and a kill from HIES’ Sarah Porter notched it at 24 and the two teams traded blows from there.

At 28-all, Kathleen Ford came through with a big kill and, on the fourth match point of the day, freshman Kate Chesser served big before Golden Bear fans emptied out onto the court in celebration.

“These girls stepped up their game at postseason time, and I couldn’t be happier about the way they came through,” Coach Noland said after the match.

Added Assistant Coach Julie Fennell: “For two years we have been fortunate to have a very special group of girls that bought in to what we are trying to do as a program. This year’s team definitely paid the price and sacrificed a great deal to be state champions. I am very proud of them and I hope they know how truly special it is to first win a state championship and, second, to win it two years in a row even after moving up classifications.

“I also have to say a very big thank you to the Holy Innocents’ fans who supported us on Saturday. They made a huge difference!” Hundreds of students came out to support the Bears in their quest for a second state title.

The Bears won the championship with only one senior—Sarah Joe—who played a huge role in the journey to the title, mainly with her defense and passing. “I couldn’t think of a better way to end my high school career,” Joe said. “It couldn’t have happened, though, without these great teammates and coaching staff.”

Other HIES teammates who were playing particularly well at Saturday’s match were Helaina Theos, Haley Collins, Joanna Wright, Kat O’Connor, and Nicole Cohen. Players who contributed during the season but didn’t see action in the title win included Grace Brock, Avery Pingpank, Tyler Dobson, Amelia Rempe, Holly Barrett, and Kat Glover.

Members of the Bears’ coaching staff are Taylor Noland, Julie Fennell, Leah Longoria, and Kerry Hofmeister.

(Sean Brock Photography)

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