Gut check for GCA V-ball; cross country

By WORTHY EVANS

HSSR Contributing Writer

Columbia - The Gray Collegiate volleyball team is loaded with talent and experience, but this season brings more challenges to the school as it enters the first year at the 4A classification.

The War Eagles, 8-9 overall and 3-4 in Region 4-4A and are currently in fifth place behind first-place Aiken, second place South Aiken, third place Gilbert and fourth place North Augusta, look to the second half of the region slate to fight for a slot in the postseason.

“I keep reiterating now that the first half of the region is over and in my mind we’re going to win against teams we lost to and hold the wins we had before to give ourselves a fighting chance,” second-year head coach Shonda Wallace said. “We have to do it now, make the hits, and we have to be in the moment and play with no regrets.”

Gray returned 10 seniors from a team that finished 8-0 in Region 4-2A last year. Wallace said in the offseason that she was better able to bond with her players, and added that while the season has had some tough losses, she knows her girls have toughness and experience to make a late-season run.

“Their experience is unmatched from what I’ve seen on the court,” Wallace said. “We’re in a new region and it’s been a challenge, but our girls are definitely fighting. We’ve come close to winning a lot of games, and we’ve all got to figure out how to put the pieces together. I can’t be more proud of them for putting in a fight an giving people a run for their money.”

Leading the way for Gray have been seniors Kyah Shephard, Alaina Timmerman, and Weslen McDowell.

Shephard, a middle hitter is among the top 10 in total blocks in the region and leads the team in hitting percentage at .215 and total blocks with 46, , and she’s second to junior Taylor Dukes (2.0) with 1.7 kills per set.

Timmerman, the team’s defensive specialist libero, leads the War Eagles with 3.2 digs per set and is second in aces with 24 and second with aces per set at 0.6.

McDowell, a center leads in aces with 36 and aces per set with 0.9 and is second in digs per set with 2.7 and second in hitting percentage with .205.

“Kyah is a huge presence on the court for us. She’s my tallest player and once she connects with the ball she’s going to rip it. When she takes the court she means business,” Wallace said. “Alaina is a vocal leader and she leads by example as well. Weslyn and her twin sister Whitlie have both been her for five years now, and they’ve been a steady presence on the court. Weslen helps us tremendously and is learning how to take control of the game with a calm presence and a defensive leadership.”

In cross country, the War Eagles have had good leadership from captains Joey Sullivan of the boys team and Marydavis Hallman of the girls. In all, 33 girls and 22 boys are running with the teams this year.

Freshman Kaylee Anderson (personal record 23 minutes, 17 seconds) has been the top runner, finishing first in all four competitions to date.

The boys team is working to be consistent. Sophomore Bryce Sharperson (PR 20:23) is the top runner, followed by sophomore Jess Stone (PR 20:38).

The War Eagles will battle with region leaders Aiken and Gilbert for a top spot in both girls and boys teams as the season leads to the state cross country championships at the Farm in Newberry Nov. 21-22.