Lady Panthers Clench Volleyball Program’s First State Championship Title

PCA’s volleyball program has been chipping away at post-season advances season after season, and with the reclassification shuffle following last year’s season, the 2022 varsity team was deemed “special” by anyone who’s worked with them during the past few years. “I think we knew from the beginning of the summer that we had a special group of girls,” said Kaylon Cantrell, PCA’s head volleyball coach. “We knew we had a lot of talent and the chance to make history this season.” 

Summer workouts came and went, and the start of the season was anything but special. With tough competition playing mostly larger schools, the Lady Panthers didn’t have the success they wanted early in the season. Only three weeks into the season, the team found themselves at 8-12, with apathy quickly creeping into practices, team meetings, and games. There was a lot of frustration from players, coaches, and parents – it was the most challenging part of the season. “One of the biggest hurdles was understanding that although we had a lot of talent, everyone needed to step into their role on the team,” said Hannah Jones, one of the team’s three seniors and the program’s first student-athlete to receive a Division I scholarship. “The captains had to lead and encourage other players and teach them how to adjust in their position based upon our opponent.” “Even though the team got off to a rough start, I still knew they had it in them,” said Tara Osborne, PCA’s athletic director. “They were going to have to go through the trenches and come out on the other side when the time was right, and that’s exactly what they did.” 

At this point in the season, it would’ve been easier to throw in the towel and call it a year, but this team didn’t…they never quit doing what was right and good for the team. “All the hard things that we had to endure early in the season are the very things that prepared us for battle in the state championship game,” said Coach Cantrell. The team’s motto during this season was WHATEVER IT TAKES, and following the less-than-stellar start, these words, and what they meant to the student-athletes, were just the challenge the team needed to keep moving forward. “Sometimes whatever it takes is not fun. Sometimes whatever it takes means your teammates are getting the playing time that you want because it’s what’s best for the team,” said Coach Cantrell. “Sometimes whatever it takes means getting up before the sun so you can get to morning workouts, or coming in for extra reps when you’re tired. The girls did it all – endured the long, hard practices, early morning workouts, film sessions, injuries, and tough competition – it was not easy, but they never gave up.” 

Along with the team’s motto, the theme verse was Galatians 6:9-10 which says, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone – especially to those in the family of faith.” Whatever it takes became more than words when the team was faced with a tough decision. The 3A state title game was set to be played at virtually the same time on the same day as the 3A Cross Country Sectional Meet. Avery Rogers, a powerful starter for the Lady Panthers and multi-sport student-athlete, is a competitive runner whose first love is cross country. Without a top-four finish in the XC sectional meet, Avery’s dreams of competing in the state meet would be over for this season – her junior season – when coaches and scouts are making selections for collegiate rosters and potential scholarships. Avery had to decide to run cross country to qualify for state or play in the volleyball state championship. She embodied the team’s motto and made the decision that gave the volleyball team the best chance at a state title run, even though it was not what was best for her personally. Although, her sacrifice didn’t go unnoticed. Kayden Carr, a friend and basketball teammate, agreed to run in Avery’s place in hopes of running fast enough to qualify the girls’ team for state. Kayden being on the XC roster was just one of the many ways that God was looking out for the volleyball team this season. For the first time ever, Coach Roberson, PCA’s head basketball coach, required his players to run cross country if they weren’t playing a fall sport to help get them in shape for the upcoming basketball season. Because of this new requirement, Kayden was already on the team’s XC roster, had been training all season long, and was ready to step in for Avery when her teammate needed it the most. Kayden doesn’t like long-distance running and had not considered running with the team at sectionals, but she never hesitated to step up and do what it took for her friend and school. “I can’t imagine how hard that was,” said Coach Cantrell. “Avery plays a really big role on our volleyball team, so it would’ve been very difficult for us to play without her. It was one of the most selfless things she could do – both her and Kayden.”  

As they say, the rest is history! The No. 7 Lady Panthers went 3-0 in the state tournament, defeating No. 8 Geraldine High School in the Elite 8, No. 6 Ohatchee High School in the Final 4, and No. 2 Plainview in a gritty 3-1 victory to bring home the program’s first AHSAA state championship. The Lady Panthers came to the state tournament ready for battle, and the stats prove it with the team combining for ten aces, 54 kills, seven blocks, 51 assists, and 76 digs. Baylee Rogers ‘26 and Coco Thomas ’23 were named to the All-Tournament Team, and Hannah Jones ’23 was named the state tournament’s MVP. The team finished the season 38-19, losing only seven games following the season’s bumpy start in August and early September. 

“It’s an amazing feeling to win a state championship,” said Cantrell. “It definitely confirms that we are doing things right within our program, and we’re developing strong athletes and a volleyball culture that produces success. For the future, we now know what it takes to win a state championship, and what that level of success feels like.  We will continue to train and challenge the girls in our program, and hopefully we’ll be able to make another run at the blue map in the future.” Winning a state championship as a senior is a surreal experience reserved for very few student-athletes, so Hannah understands that “honor and blessing” now as a three-time state champion. “I knew at the beginning of the season this was my last opportunity to accomplish a task that would complete my high school athletic career,” said Jones. “We had already accomplished the task of basketball state champions twice, but we still lacked volleyball. I love volleyball, and I prayed to achieve the highest level of recognition for my school, teammates, and myself. It is still hard for me to believe that we conquered this mighty task during my senior year!”

This state championship is PCA’s fourth title in recent years…and all from girls’ teams. “Girls sports honestly do not get looked at or talked about with the same respect, so winning a volleyball, two basketball, and a softball state championship helps change the narrative for all girls athletic programs moving forward,” said Coach Osborne. Congratulations, Lady Panthers! Keep doing big things, and “when the time is right, you will reap a harvest of blessing if you don’t give up.”