The Clarke Central High School varsity volleyball team plays against Athens Academy in the CCHS Competition Gym on Sept. 3. For varsity volleyball right side and middle hitter Vera Mize, a senior, the sport has taught her teamwork and ownership. “(Volleyball) is a team sport, and you’re so involved with each other, it teaches you how to trust others, and how to work with others, and how to give feedback and how to take feedback without taking it personally,” Mize said. Photo by Kye Streetman
The Clarke Central High School varsity volleyball team will play two Region-8AAAAA matches against the Apalachee High School Wildcats and the Cedar Shoals High School Jaguars on Sept. 24 in the CCHS Competition Gym.
CCHS previously played against AHS and CSHS on Sept. 10, resulting in a loss of 0-2 against the Wildcats and a 2-0 win against the Jaguars. CCHS head varsity volleyball coach, Logan Horne is anticipating another chance against AHS by preparing the CCHS varsity team with practices from 5:30-7:00 p.m. on weekdays.
“I’m really looking forward to a new chance, a new opportunity to play Appalachee, (I’m) hoping we can play really competitively. If we do, we’ll win. I’m looking forward to that opportunity” Horne said, “Then, we’re getting to play Cedar. That’s always fun when you’re getting to play your in-city rival,”
CCHS has an overall record of 15-13 and a Region 8-AAAAAA record of 2-6. AHS has an overall record of 22-18 and a Region 8-AAAAAA record of 6-3, CSHS’s overall record is 4-22 and their Region 8-AAAAAA record is 0-7.
“I feel like we have the skill, but we just need the better mindset of really being in it to win (against apalachee). We’re fine with that against Cedar because of the rivalry and you have to win against Cedar.”
— Vera Mize,
CCHS varsity volleyball right-side and middle hitter
Since the Gladiators are ranked fourth in the Region 8-AAAAAA, winning against AHS would help CCHS qualify for the Georgia High School Association state championship play-offs, which requires CCHS to have a top-four spot in the seven-school region.
“(The Gladiators are) really excited to play Cedar, and I’m really hoping they’re ready to play Apalachee, as well, because Apalachee is sitting at four in our region, so a win against them and Cedar would move us up in the region, and so hopefully we can get there,” Horne said.
