“Senior Night” For East Clarendon Volleyball Honored Six Hard-Working Seniors

 By Billy G. Baker

 Publisher 

 Turbeville—Senior night for the East Clarendon volleyball team on October 1 brought special recognition to six players who have pretty much formed a sisterhood with their camaraderie developed in competition since most of them joined the program as freshmen.

 The HSSR interviewed five of the six seniors after the team’s 3-0 win over county rival Manning, and this contingent has played together for a combined 18 years. No doubt,  many of these players will one day serve as bride maids in their teammate’s weddings. Future class reunions will also stir memories of all the time they have spent on the volleyball court together. 

 Sophie Brown is a senior setter who went into the Manning matches with a team leading 154 assists, including 34 Kills, 28 aces, and four blocked shots. “I not only enjoy practicing and playing with my teammates, but we do a lot of other activities together outside of volleyball like going to eat, or going to football games as a group,” said Brown. 

Brown had at least five soft kills in the three sets with Manning. “I can see the court on the other side, and when there is no one in a certain spot across the net from me that is when I like to return a soft shot,” said Brown. “I really enjoy making assists to my teammates and that is my role as the setter. I have to know when my hitters are hitting good and I have to stay constantly focused on where to place the ball.”

Brown said her fondest memory on being on the EC volleyball team was helping the Wolverines win a region title her freshman year. “I was the Libero my freshman year and I enjoyed playing that position also,” said Brown. 

 Aubree Fyre is the senior Libero of the team. She entered the Manning game with a team leading 97 digs, 15 assists, 21 kills, and 16 aces. “I was really proud also of helping the team win region against Johnsonville in three sets my freshman year, and last year we had a lot of wins, and I was very proud of being a part of that success also,” said Frye. “I thought we played very well last year also.” 

 Tori Robinson is senior middle hitter. She has 8 kills and five blocked shots to date. “I just enjoy working to improve and helping the team achieve, and play better,” said Robinson. “I also enjoy the friendships that I have made on the team and we are always doing things together.” 

 Layke Jeffords is a senior OPP who entered the contest with Manning tied for the most blocks with 9, plus 11 kills and 9 digs on her resume. “I have enjoyed making friendships and teaching the other girls all I know about volleyball,” said Jeffords. “I play the right side of the court, and my job is to block, dig, and play good defense.

“My proudest moment of this season was how we played tonight,” said Jeffords. “This was probably my best game of the season also.”

 Payton Hanniford is a senior MH who came into the Manning game with 23 aces, 23 digs and six blocked shots. “I have been on the team for three years and this was my first time back after being out the past two weeks with an ankle injury,” said Hanniford. “When I first started out it was encouraging to get help from the older girls and that helped me in my development. 

“My role in a game is to be the tall person at the net and get blocks and help dig and get balls down,” said Hanniford. “Our upcoming game with Dillon (Oct. 15) will be very important because it will help determine seeding in the playoffs if we can win. We have been improving throughout the season.”

 The one senior who had to leave after the Manning game for another engagement is senior MH Braelyn Sims.

 The team is head coached by Karleigh Gonzalez who was an all-region and all-state volleyball player in high school at Thomas Sumter Academy. The team’s win over Manning improved the Wolverines to 4-2 in the region while Dillon is tops in the region currently at 5-1. The match with the Wildcats on the 15^th looms big. 

Coach Gonzalez is in her second year with the program. “We had two seniors graduate from the team last year, but we have also had several underclassmen step up and contribute as well,” said Coach Gonzalez. “I want us to come out swinging over the remaining games that we have to play and hopefully come away with a region championship.

“Right now, we are kind of petering a bit and it just depends on how everyone plays each other with three regions left in the regular season,” said Coach Gonzalez. “We need to take as many wins as we can the rest of the season.”

Coach Gonzalez shared her thoughts on her senior group. “Aubrey (Frye) is an outstanding player on the back row, and she runs the whole thing and tonight we had her playing more of the court then normal,” said Coach Gonzalez. “She’s a take charge player and a front line for our defense.”

 Coach Gonzalez said Sophie Brown has a very high volleyball IQ. “She makes really great decisions passing the ball and she has great camaraderie bringing everyone together,” said Coach Gonzalez. “She puts the ball right into her hitter’s hands and that is a big asset to have.”

 Coach Gonzalez said that the team’s energy on the floor comes from Payton Hanniford. “She has missed a couple games with an injury and while she was out our energy was not the same,” said Coach Gonzalez. “We were a much better team with her on the court.” 

 Coach Gonzalez describes Layke Jeffords as the team’s “peace” on the court. “Lake is our peace on the court, and she always stays calm and composed no matter what is happening during a game,” said Coach Gonalez. “She plays very well on the right side.” 

 “My other two seniors are Tori Robinson and Braelyn Sims, and they rotate in as our big blockers on the front row,” said Coach Gonzalez. “They keep the energy going on the front row as well as doing a good job blocking.” 

 The two non-senior starters are junior OH Lindsey Robinson who has 58 kills, 22 aces, and 22 digs along with junior OH Reagan Nesbitt who has 53 kills and four blocks so far on the season.

 Other members of the team include junior DS Joss Robinson, freshman DS Charlee Sullivan, and soph MH Brelyn Stokes. 

 EC will next play at Marlboro County on Oct. 6 before hosting Waccamaw on the 8^th. They are at Lake City (Oct. 13) before concluding the regular season at Dillonon the 15^th.