Lady Volunteers bring home title, boys get second
It was the hope and expectation going into the season that the Starkville Academy Lady Volunteers would repeat as state tennis champions.
That became a reality last week when the Lady Vols came back from Ridgeland with the banner and trophy signifying the Class 5A overall title.
The surprise came when the Starkville Academy boys team finished runner up as a team in 5A.
The accomplishments of the Vols made for two very proud coaches in Robin and Harry Holliday.
“We knew we had some strong senior girls and a strong girls team going into this,” Harry said. “We were really hoping we had a chance to win the state overall, but the boys were a little ahead of schedule. We had some younger guys and to come as state runner up as a team was spectacular and beat our expectations there. We think their year is next year and hopefully they will get better and better.”
Both the boys and girls received a boost when the mixed doubles brother and sister team of Lily Holliday and Harrison Holliday claimed the state championship.
“Mixed doubles helped in both positions and gave the boys a little hurdle over there,” Harry said “That made a big difference. We are really pleased with everything.”
Lily, who has won multiple state championships at Starkville Academy, was happy to be able to team up with her brother for a successful run.
“It was super special to play with him and it was fun,” Lily said. “We had good chemistry. We had a few sibling squabbles, but we were able to get over it and it was a fun experience. You are not a brother and sister if you don't have one or two.”
It was Harrison Holliday's second straight state title in mixed doubles as he teamed up with Lizzie Skelton to win last year.
Along with Harrison's success, the No. 2 doubles of Jackson Walters and Joe Barrett were runners up in 5A.
The Lady Vols were strong in doubles which gave them the momentum to capture the team championship. Grace Delp and Skelton won the No. 1 girls doubles state title, while Michela Castiglione and Morgan Peaster lost in the semifinals in the No. 2 girls doubles.
Starkville Academy has five seniors that are now moving on from the program, which always makes it a bittersweet situation for the coaches.
“I'm just so proud of them,” Robin Holliday said. “I'm going to miss them because I'm losing five. They've just been just very special. I've enjoyed it.”