Gordon Lee captures third straight NGAC volleyball tournament title
It’s tough enough to win a North Georgia Athletic Conference title in one sport, so winning one in backto-back years doesn’t happen too often.
But three-peating? That’s truly rarified air.
The Gordon Lee Middle School Lady Trojans are walking on Cloud Nine today after dispatching Heritage in straight sets during the NGAC tournament championship match at LaFayette Middle School on Thursday.
It marked the third victory for the Lady Trojans over the Lady Generals this season.
Gordon Lee came into the tournament as the No. 1 seed after losing just once in the regular season. They beat No. 8 Rossville, 25-9, 25-12, in their opener on Tuesday before a 25-17, 25-13 win over No. 4 LaFayette on Wednesday in the semifinals.
Heritage would jump out to an 8-4 lead in the first set of the finals, but that was as close as the Lady Generals would come to knocking off the favorites.
The Lady Trojans calmly responded with a 6-0 run and later a 5-0 run as they took the first set, 25-19. Jordan Dockery had four aces in the opener.
Heritage got two kills from Kallie Carter and one from Avery Phillips to grab a 4-2 lead in the second set, but Gordon Lee would come roaring back as an ace by Mary Kate Roberts highlighted a 5-0 run that put Gordon Lee in the lead for good.
Emoree Rogers later served up seven straight service points, including two aces, and two final aces by Dockery would secure a 25-14 victory to complete the sweep.
“I told them that it was difficult to beat the same team three times (in one year) and we knew that Heritage had improved a lot all year long,” Gordon Lee head coach Tammy Harkleroad said. “We knew (Heritage) was going to be a different team today, so I told the girls not to panic if we got down early. Just to take their time, be patient and play our game.”
Apart from Gordon Lee’s three important runs, defense was the big story of the evening.
The Lady Trojans dug up shot after shot as Heritage had difficulty finding open spots on the Gordon Lee side of the floor. Libero Mary Kate Roberts was the main defensive specialist for the Navyand-White as Gordon Lee limited Heritage to just six aces on the night and only one in the second set.
“M.K. is the best libero I’ve ever had at this age,” Harkleroad added. “She studies the game. She even sent me a text last night telling me that she had literally taken notes on every (Heritage) girl that served. She knew exactly how they served and where they liked to serve. She’s just a student of the game.”
Rogers, later named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, finished with five kills and two aces for the Lady Trojans, who finished the year 16-1. Dockery had six aces and four kills and Roberts and Boyd each had a kill and an ace, along with numerous digs.
Carter had a teamhigh three kills for Heritage to go with two aces. Anna Wilks had six digs and a pair of aces, while Kerrigan Holland added two kills in a losing effort.
Gordon Lee’s eighth grade class will move up to the high school ranks next year with three NGAC tournament titles as mementos of their middle school playing careers.
“One of them reminded me before the match that they had a chance to win it three straight times,” Harkleroad said. “I don’t know if that’s ever happened before at Gordon Lee, but it’s pretty cool and great to be a part of it.”