GCA volleyball falls in sectional final

<p>Greenwood Christian Academy volleyball coach Kelsey Souders watched her team play to its potential Saturday afternoon.</p><p>The downside is it may have cost the Cougars a chance at a second sectional championship in three years.</p><p>GCA lost to Lutheran, 25-14, 26-24, 25-12 in the title match of the Class A sectional at Morristown. This came a short time after the Cougars rallied from a 2-0 deficit to win a five-set semifinal marathon against the host Yellow Jackets.</p><p>Led by the team’s two seniors, setter Rylie Scott and libero Avery Shingleton, the Cougars wound up winning two of its three postseason matches to finish with a 13-20 record. Souders also cited the play of outside hitters Izzy Reed, a sophomore, and Maggie Booher, a freshman.</p><p>“(The semifinal) was really awesome. I felt like it was a good redemption after they beat us in four sets on our senior night,” Souders said. “I really think those last three sets were the best we played all season.</p><p>“But against Lutheran I think we were pretty exhausted. We just weren’t where we needed to be.”</p><p>Souders felt the Cougars played their best volleyball at the end of the season, setting a good example for future GCA teams.</p><p>“Our postseason spoke a lot about us,” she said. “Overall, I couldn’t ask for anything more. I feel the players did everything I asked, and as a coach that makes you proud.”</p>