EMERSON, Ga. - Hebron volleyball came up just short in the state title match against Lovett last Wednesday, Oct. 29, falling 3-2 in an unbelievable five-set match, which saw the Lions battle till the very end.
Hebron ends its 2025 campaign with an outstanding 47-3 record, and a national ranking of 35th (MaxPreps).
"I'm just proud," head coach Taylor Davis said. "We got dismantled in Sets 1 and 3, but responding how we did in Set 2 (after) getting beat so bad (in the first set), took a lot of heart. And to be down in Set 4 like we were did, too. That is huge. I choose us, I coach us ... I'm very proud and pleased with our bunch, and the product that we put forth, I wouldn't have wanted to coach anybody else this year."
The Lions were met with a formidable force in Lovett, which was led by the top Freshman in the nation, Kari Knotts, who helped the Lions to a 42-3 record, and a national ranking of 34th.
Hebron lost that initial set 25-11, but forced a back-and-force Set 2, which the Lions prevailed 26-24. Lovett bounced back in Set 3, winning 25-15, but again, a resilient Hebron bunch found a way in Set 4, winning 25-21.
Lovett regained momentum in the fifth and final set, winning 15-6 and earning the state title win.
Ashley Troxell and Jade Howard forged the way on offense, Troxell nailing 16 kills with two service aces and six dig. Howard added 13 kills with five blocks. Elle Walker had 21 assists with two blocks, Eden Thao added 16 assists with one ace and nine digs, while Laila Walker totaled 11 digs.
Troxell and Howard were later named as All-State selections by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, along with Aubrey Cowart and Addison Griffin.
Despite coming up short in the state championship match, the Lions had a season to remember, a season where Davis surpassed 500 wins in his head-coaching career. Davis' record at Hebron (13 seasons) now stands at 507-145 (.777).
"We gave it our best (in the state title match), Davis said. "It's just hard. We came up a little short (Wednesday) night. We gave it our best down the stretch."
Hebron will say goodbye to four extremely talented seniors, Cowart, Gaelle Gerome, Salma Quezada and Kat Bulchak, but will return the bulk of its bunch, primed for another exciting season next year.
