The varsity volleyball team traveled to Spartanburg, S.C., Sept. 24-25 to play in the annual Dorman Tournament of Champions, which features top teams from South Carolina and several surrounding states.   

The Knights played some of their best volleyball so far this season. Just a few points separated the gold bracket teams from silver, bronze and copper. Offensively, sophomore Ellie Siskin led the way with 52 kills and a .263 hitting percentage. Junior Briea Craft followed closely with 26 kills and a .224 hitting percentage, and she provided crucial blocks in critical moments of several matches. Senior co-captain Megan Hardesty, along with sophomore Gadit Bejar, had several timely kills. The real story was the Knights’ tremendous improvement defensively and in serve/receive. Led by sophomore Dhru Lalaji, Siskin and senior co-captain Taylor Knowlton, the team’s defense was the difference in most of the matches.

Both setters—sophomore Isabelle Wilhelm (68 assists) and junior Brooke Brumfield (37 assists)—made major strides in running the Knights’ offense. Middle blockers Julia Holmes, a senior, and Kennedi Evans, a sophomore, continued to make progress offensively, while juniors Riley Alkire and Sophie Shapiro offered much-needed support off the bench.