On Nov. 5, the Lady Devil volleyball team faced the Clay-Battelle Cee Bees for a regional championship. Things started off well for St. Marys as they built a big lead in the first set of the first match and closed out on a 25-21 win. Unfortunately, player Brynnley Bulluck suffered an ankle injury. When trying to return early in the second set, she was unable and couldn’t return for the rest of the season. With their tallest and one of their most experienced performers removed from the board, St. Marys struggled mightily throughout the remainder of the match. Clay-Battelle found gaps in the Lady Devils’ line of defense, and hitters McKenzie Watson, Neveah St. Clair, and Farrah Ammos took advantage. The Cee Bees won the second set 25-12 and then polished off the match win by taking the next two sets by the scores of 25-14 and 25-15.
St. Marys was a completely different team in the decisive second match, only taking a fall in the third set while pulling out a 25-17, 27-25, 9-25, 25-18 victory. SMHS athletic director Howard Meeks II presented the regional championship plaque to St. Marys. In addition to the team’s success, a pair of individuals were recognized for achieving personal milestones. Senior Alyssa Winland reached 1,000 career digs, while Rylee Renner reached 1,000 career assists. St. Marys will now take a 25-11-1 record to the state tournament. They are the No. 6 seed and will face No. 3 seed Sherman in the Class A quarterfinals at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12.
