The girls varsity volleyball team at St. Mary School in Oak Ridge recently competed in the Knoxville Independent School League small-school tournament and beat Apostolic Christian Academy to win the championship at the Knoxville Christian School gym in a winner-take-all match.
This year’s Lady Crusader squad won the KISL regular-season and tournament titles for the fourth straight year.
St. Mary won the regular season with a 9-1 record under the leadership of all new coaches: head coach Angie Goodwyn and assistant coaches Kendall Doogan and Dennis Urban.
The two top-seeded teams in the tournament advanced to the finals. To get there, St. Mary defeated Webb School in the quarterfinals and Knoxville Christian School in the semifinals.
Apostolic raced out to a one-set lead in the finals, winning that first set by a wide margin, 25-15. St. Mary’s girls squeaked out a 25-23 second-set win. Apostolic looked like it had the second set in hand, but St. Mary upped its intensity level and reeled off the last four points to win the set.
The third set would prove to be the difference, as St. Mary outlasted Apostolic to win 15-10.
“The girls worked very hard this season. My number one goal was to make sure they could all consistently serve and pass well, knowing that if the game was close our girls would pull out a win. I couldn’t be happier winning my first season and tournament as head coach,” Ms. Goodwyn said.
Assistant coach Mr. Doogan commented, “During the championship game all of their hard work and determination came together for a heart-stopping match against ACA. I am so proud of the girls. They stayed positive and focused on their goals. They were gracious winners. I am wholeheartedly looking forward to next season!”
St. Mary’s Paige Halcrow won MVP and all-season honors. Kelli Ann Corbett was named all-season and all-tournament, and Caroline Elliott won all-tournament recognition. ■
