By Justin Jarrett
Conventional wisdom says it’s tough to beat a good team three times in a season, or so the saying goes. Nobody told the Beaufort Academy volleyball team.
The Eagles had little trouble dispatching Cathedral Academy for a third time in 2019, sweeping to a 3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-15) victory to claim the SCISA Class 1A title at Wilson Hall in Sumter.
BA capped its dream season with a customarily balanced attack, as four players registered at least eight kills and two posted double-
digit assists.
Emily Ann Hiers just missed a triple-double, finishing with nine kills, 14 assists, and 10 digs along with five aces. Chase Vaigneur added nine kills, 10 assists, and 17 digs, McCayla Willingham had eight kills, and Amelia Huebel had a big night at the net with 11 kills and eight blocks to go with two aces and four digs. Mary Hanna Hiers anchored the defense with a team-high 19 digs and dished out four assists.
The win completed a dominant run through the state tournament bracket for the Eagles, who did not drop a set in six postseason matches.
The Eagles dedicated their season to teammate Anna Grace Dennis, who died suddenly on Aug. 2, just before the start of the season.
“They decided they were going to work for a common goal,” assistant coach Jessica Young said. “It was much more than volleyball for them. They constantly had each other’s back, not just on the court, but off the court.”
Justin Jarrett is the editor of LowcountrySports.com and the sports editor of The Island News. Contact him at LowcoSports@gmail.com.
