Mullins – Lorie Ann Rogers knew her Pee Dee Academy volleyball team might have a “small” problem in the 2023 season. The Golden Eagles lost seven seniors from the program’s numerically largest roster ever. More importantly, they lost all of their size from a team that went 15-10 on the season.
“We were going into this season with the strategy of a more focused defense and smart play,” said Rogers, the PDA head coach. “It couldn't be to just get it to our bigger girls and let them handle it because we don't have any. Our tallest player is 5-(feet-) 10(-inches) and only two 5-8. After the first few practices with this smaller team, I knew that they were going to give all they had to make the season successful.”
And that the Eagles did. They finished with an 18-9 record and reached the final match in their half of the bracket in the AAA state tournament.
Four of their nine losses came at the hands of Region 2 foe Florence Christian School. Pee Dee lost to FCS twice during the regular season and twice in the state tournament.
However, PDA was much more competitive in the tournament matches. After losing 3-0 in both of the regular-season matches, Pee Dee lost both of the tournament matches by 2-1 scores as FCS advanced to the state championship match for the second straight season.
“With their consistency and power hitters, it was tough to compete,” Rogers said of FCS. “They got the best of us in regular season, but we did play them much tougher in the tournament.”
Pee Dee’s tournament wins came against Orangeburg Prep, Greenwood Christian School and Northside Christian Academy, all by 2-0 scores.
Pee Dee had three players selected to the All-Region 2 team in senior captains Lizzie McCaskill and Baxleigh Arnette, both of whom were selected to play in the North-South All-Star match, and junior Rebecca Hammond.
McCaskill was a returning starter at libero. She averaged 17 digs per match and was successful on 91 percent of her serves.
“She’s an excellent encourager, dependable, gritty, a go-getter, pushes teammates by example, super-quick on defense and reading the ball,” Rogers said of McCaskill.
Arnette was also a returning starter as an outside hitter who led the team with 8.5 kills per match and was second with 10 digs per match. She was successful on 94 percent of her serves and averaged 1.5 aces per match.
“She stands 5-5, but hits like a 5-10, 5-11 player with a high jump and reach,” Rogers said of Arnette, who will attend Presbyterian College on a softball scholarship.
Hammond was the team’s setter and averaged 18.9 assists. She also averaged a team high 2.0 aces per match as a returning starters.
Sophomore outside hitter Sydney King averaged 5.8 kills and 1.7 aces per match.
The other starters were sophomore Waverly Norris and either Campbell McCormick and junior Katie Estes.
Other members of the team were junior Sophie Merritt and sophomores Maddie Coward and Nylee Causey.
Rogers credited Mallory Carter, a former PDA player who played collegiately at Erskine and was in her first year as an assistant. “Her knowledge of the modern game was invaluable to our team,” Rogers said.
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