By Wes Kerr
LowcoSports.com
As the final ball fell to the court at Dreher High School on Saturday, Bridges Prep head coach Roger Wilson stood on the sideline with a face full of pride. Only two SCHSL 1A teams were left playing volleyball that day, and the Bucs were one of them.
In a span of two thrilling weeks, they gave their fans a lifetime of memories.
Wilson guided the Bridges Prep to its first SCHSL state championship volleyball appearance with a dominant three-set win over Lake View at home on Tuesday, but the Bucs met their match in perennial powerhouse St. Joseph’s Catholic on Saturday, falling 25-15, 25-15, and 25-9 as the Knights captured an incredible 12th state championship in 13 seasons.
“It’s been a first for everything this year,” Wilson said. “I am so proud of the girls. They’re down right now, but they just got to realize that they got here.”
With Wilson’s tremendous leadership, the Bucs enjoyed a 23-6-1 season en route to their first-ever state championship appearance, just two years after this team finished winless in region play. The magic was fueled by a group of seniors that had bonded and grown together, both at the high school level and in the club scene.
Gracie Sexton’s leadership was invaluable down the stretch, providing key scoring as a hitter but most importantly making valuable plays defensively and communicating well with teammates. She worked in beautiful rhythm with fellow senior Madeline Cook, who was ultra-reliable at reading plays and making stellar digs at the libero position.
With an emotional Lower State semifinal win over Latta in the bank after dropping the first set, the energy and momentum were on the Lady Bucs’ side when the fans returned for a Halloween night showdown with Lake View. It was all Bridges from the jump, replicating their dominant play with crisp passing and sensational serving that helped force a flurry of early Gator mistakes.
Gabby Aiken was a force at the net, punishing the opposition from outstanding setter Bree Snyder. The Gators made it interesting in the third set at 23-all, but the resilient Bucs reset and turned to the Punisher one last time. With Aiken waiting, Snyder tossed up a perfect feed before Gabby laid down the hammer to wrap up the Lower State title.
With an armada of Bridges Prep fans making the journey to Dreher High School on Saturday, the Bucs proved they belonged with an extraordinary effort against a continued 1A dynasty in St. Joseph’s. After a slow start, the Bucs awoke in the second set as Kami McHale delivered a 6-0 serving run to fire up a wild Bridges crowd.
But the middle hitters and blockers were too much for the Bucs this time, as Lillie Hecker and Ava Catherine Elder feasted to rally the Knights in the set and complete the 3-0 sweep.
As the final point concluded Saturday morning, the Bridges Prep Lady Bucs huddled together one final time and walked off the court to a standing ovation from their fans. They’ve put their program – and Bucs athletics – on the map in South Carolina. And the journey of this small school with big championship dreams is only just beginning.
Wes Kerr is a graduate of Hilton Head Island High School and Davidson College. He reports on local sports for LowcoSports.com.
