The West Marion Trojans’ season came to an end Tuesday, and although they didn’t quite reach the goal they set after being eliminated from playoff contention they finished the year with a lot to build on.
When the Trojans (13-13, 8-4) were first eliminated three weeks ago, head coach Todd Pittman challenged them to win their final seven matches and end the year with a winning record. After winning the first six of those seven, they lost Tuesday to Sacred Heart.
Pittman said that while it was disappointing to finish the season at .500 rather than above it, he is proud of the Trojans for winning six of their last seven matches to end the year on a good note.
“I like the fact that the girls improved throughout the year and the fact that the majority of our starters will be coming back next year and looking to improve on what we had this year,” he said. “We would have loved to win the last game to stay above .500, but Sacred Heart was a good team.”
West Marion’s fifth straight win came Oct. 3 at home in a 3-0 sweep of Hazlehurst to get to 8-4 in Region 7 and place third. The Trojans were paced by 30 aces, with Brianna Lee notching seven and Kaleigh Stringer and Avery Holmes six each.
Then on Monday it took West Marion five sets, but the Trojans outlasted Seminary 3-2 behind six kills each by Atayviah Williams, Lainey Brumfield and Malyssa Johnson. Brumfield also had seven aces while Stringer had six, and Holmes had 18 assists.
But in their final match of the season, the Trojans were bested 3-1 by Sacred Heart. They had just five aces as a team, but Holmes had 10 assists and Williams five kills.
Pittman singled out Brumfield, Johnson and Stringer as key returners for next season and believes they will excel as the middle and outside hitters. He added it’s going to be difficult to replace Holmes, though, because she has been the setter for three years and did a great job of making sure everyone was in the right spot offensively.
“We’re going to really need someone to step up and take control of the setting aspect for us,” he said.
He also said all three seniors — Holmes, Williams and J’Niaha Stampley — will be missed, especially Holmes and Williams because they’ve been with the team for four years.
Pictured Above: West Marion's Lainey Brumfield serves against Columbia Sept. 30. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
