Myrtle Beach fall sports preparing for playoffs

By David Shelton

Senior Writer

Myrtle Beach – While much of the focus during October, in regards to high school sports, centers on region play for football, the rest of the fall sports teams around the state are focusing in on their respective upcoming state playoffs.

October is certainly a busy month as non-football sports will begin and even conclude their playoffs during the month. Girls tennis, volleyball, swimming, girls golf and cross country are in the final stages of their regular season.

As of this year, Myrtle Beach High is a member of Class AAAAA, up from AAAA. The competition level will increase but the Seahawks are expecting to compete in every sport during the postseason.

The girls tennis program was a perennial state title contender in AAAA and should have a team capable of challenging in AAAAA. The best part about this team is their overall youth, which could make them a factor for years to come.

This year’s team does have two starting seniors. Julianna Merritt plays No. 2 singles and Elizabeth Raynor plays the No. 5 singles.

Sitting atop the singles ladder is sophomore Mary Hannah Morrison. Eighth-grader Elena Barnes plays the No 3 singles and sophomore Ava Anthony plays No. 4 singles.

The volleyball team is in contention for a region title, sitting one game behind North Myrtle Beach. The Seahawks won six of their first seven region games, losing to their rivals from the North.

Leading as seniors this season are Blake Carter, Sarah Lirijoni, Madison Brown and Sophia Fogarty.

Juniors on the roster are Margaret Truluck, Trinity Owens, Samantha Scholz and Makenzie Trisler. Gabriella Fogarty and Emily Mullinix are the sophomores on the team.

Rounding out the roster are freshmen Gianna Petruzzello and Anna Trisler, along with eighth-grader Dylan Roberts.

In cross country, Anna Sedeska anchors the girls team as the top runner this fall. Riley Clements, Katherine Cooke and Isabelle Lowry round out the top four runners.

Kai Wilmot is the top runner on the boys team, with Thomas Smith, Liam McGuire, Carson McGee and Ahmed Rahmouni rounding out the top five runners this season.

Meanwhile, in football, the Seahawks began region play on Oct. 4 with a 36-6 win over St. James. That win improved the Seahawks to 3-3 overall this season. The Seahawks were slated to play Conway on Oct. 11.