BETHLEHEM — The Gainesville volleyball team made history on Saturday, claiming the program's first area title.
The Lady Red Elephants (35-11) defeated Clarke-Central (25-19, 25-22), Lanier (25-8, 25-18) and Lanier again in the Area 8-AAAAA championship match 3-1 (25-18, 20-25, 25-18, 25-15).
All players contributed to the Red Elephants success. Sydney King (named first team Region 8-AAAAA Libero) recorded 5 assists, and 38 digs. Caroline Mercer added 12 digs. Morgan Frazier pitched in 1 dig and 1 kill. Tangi Miller had 3 digs, 3 blocks, and 6 kills. Bessie Winston added 4 digs and 10 kills. Sally Callahan had 1 ace and 10 digs. Tanai Watson (2nd Team 8-AAAAA Outside Hitter) added 22 digs and 25 kills. Cori Griffith had 2 digs, 2 blocks, and 16 kills. Abby Alexander (second Team 8-AAAAA Middle Hitter) added 6 blocks and 9 kills. Anna Wylie had 4 aces, 10 digs, 6 blocks, and 4 kills. Savannah Roys (first team 8-AAAAA Setter) had 4 aces, 69 assists, and 31 digs. Ashley Filson added 1 ace and 1 dig. Emily Sloan had 8 digs. Ayanna Griffith had 1 kill.
Gainesville's Randi Moore was named Coach of the Year for 8-AAAAA.
The Lady Red Elephants will play host to Alexander, the No. 4 seed out of Area 5-AAAAA, on Thursday in the first round of the state playoffs.
