Sand Rock volleyball reached its goal for its 7 seniors but falls in state finals
BIRMINGHAM — The result didn't matter on Wednesday for the Sand Rock volleyball team, making it to the state title game was already historic.
The Wildcats have been to the Elite 12 times and the Final Four eight times but they were never able to get over that hump. Wednesday was a first for Lisa Bates squad, the first appearance in the state finals. It was clear that Sand Rock was looking to take in the moment, before the match the team was smiles. The enthusiasm was elevated by a large student/cheering section that made the trip down as well.
Making it this far was the goal for this team, a veteran laden group that features some of the best players in Wildcats history. Regardless of the straight set loss to Pleasant Valley in the state final on Wednesday at Bill Harris Arena, this team reached that goal but they still wanted more.
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"I'm very proud of them for doing something we haven't done at Sand Rock yet, that's making a state championship game. We've been Final Four but we had not been to this step. I'm very proud of them for making history for Sand Rock," Lisa Bates said.
What's next for the Wildcats is unknown, they'll graduate seven seniors this offseason. That includes Rylin and Katelyn St. Clair, two of the best players to suit up for the Wildcats. Rylin has more than 2,000 career assists while Katelyn is the schools all-time leader in kills.
Rylin and Katelyn both made the all tournament team, Rylin had 20 assists while Katelyn had 18 kills, 11 digs and three aces. They leave the school has two greats who helped the program reach new heights
"I always grew up going to Sand Rock, Katelyn said. "I started playing volleyball spring of the sixth grade and I always wanted to win a state championship but getting here has meant the world to me."
"I also started playing the end of my sixth grade year so being here with the people I grown up with to be in the state championship means a lot to me," Rylin said.
Many of the girls will now turn their attention to their final basketball season together, coached also by Bates.
Maxwell Donaldson covers high school sports and Jacksonville State athletics for the Gadsden Times. Find him on Twitter/X @_Max_Donaldson and contact him at MDonaldson@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Sand Rock volleyball reached its goal but falls in state final
