EMERSON, GA. - The Hebron Christian Academy volleyball team won this year's Rally Cup championship at the LakePoint Sports Complex on Saturday, Aug. 23.
Playing in the Varsity Power Division, the Lions went a perfect 5-0 against some of the best competition in Georgia, including Blessed Trinity, Etowah, McIntosh and Central High (Carrollton). Each of these five teams currently rank within the top-45 volleyball teams in the Georgia (MaxPreps), three falling in the top 25, and Blessed Trinity sitting in the top 10 (7).
The last time that the Lions played in a five-match tournament (Sept. 13, 2024), they lost all five matches, but went on to finish the season perfect, winning the GHSA Private State Championship.
"Being able to win all 5 matches allows for the confidence that we need moving forward," head coach Taylor Davis said. "[Losing five matches in a day] was the turning point of the [2024-25] season, and this year we won all five matches in a day, which is the preferred learning curve."
Arriving in Emerson just before the sunrise, the Lions had a full day of competition that didn't end until the late afternoon. Despite that, and some adversity from a few fierce opponents, the Lions prevailed, ending the day with a 2-1 victory over state power Blessed Trinity (25-23, 15-25, 15-12).
"It's a great step to see the maturity of our group at an early part of the season," Davis said. "Long play dates allow for you to grow physically, but also mentally. It takes a special type of focus to be dialed in for a 12-hour day. Our girls showed that mental fortitude and fight throughout the entire day."
Throughout the five matches, Hebron got an excellent showing from newly-added junior Jade Howard. The 6-foot-2 middle hitter dominated around the net, totaling 42 kills and 10 blocks on Saturday, earning her "tournament MVP" honors.
Howard has played just seven matches for the Lions this season, spanning over about a week, but she has provided a steady presence in the middle, posting a combined 58 kills in those matches.
"Jade's energy and motor allows for her to play at such a high level," Davis said. "Obviously, she is an incredible athlete, but her intangibles are what make her so special. What I am most impressed [about] Jade is her ability to be a great teammate. She celebrates each point and champions each player. She genuinely loves to see each player on the team succeed."
Other top performances last weekend came from junior outside hitter (OH) Ashley Troxell (38 kills, seven aces, 15 digs), fellow junior OH Addison Griffin (23 kills, nine aces, 29 digs) and senior right-side hitter Aubrey Cowart (12 kills, five blocks, five aces, 32 digs). Each were named to the Rally Cup All-Tournament team.
Things started out smoothly for the Lions, who swept Central (25-11, 25-11), Norcross (25-18, 25-19) and Etowah (25-18, 25-23).
With a 3-0 record, they moved to the Gold Bracket of the division, where they would face McIntosh and Blessed Trinity.
McIntosh took the first set (20-25), gaining the early momentum, but Hebron rallied off two-straight set victories (25-20, 15-12) to advance to the title match with Titans.
"McIntosh is an excellent team. We had a difficult time scoring in some rotations, and their ability to keep us out of systems was impressive," Davis said. "However, we found a way to respond and fight through being down. I truly believe that match will be one of the most important matches of the year. Being able to be confident even if we drop set one is something to draw from as we navigate the rest of the season."
Hebron was met by Blessed Trinity with the same intensity as McIntosh. The Lions took the opening set (25-23), but the Titans scored six of the last eight points, before Hebron finished out the set.
Blessed Trinity carried its momentum into the second set, winning by 10 points.
"We got stuck in one rotation, and could not get out of it. That is something we have to go back to work in, and try to prevent that from occurring again," Davis said of the second set.
However, the final set swung back in the direction of the Lions, closing the match with a 2-1 victory.
"We just got out to such a great start [in set three], and from there on we played really clean," Davis said. "So thankful for all 17 girls and their gritty attitude to win after a 12-hour day."
