DECATUR – “We didn’t work this hard for it to end here.”
Jamie Freeman, head coach of the Calhoun Community College volleyball team, isn’t resting on his laurels, nor will he let the Warhawks rest on theirs.
After a thrilling four-set win to claim the NJCAA Gulf South District Championship, Calhoun is hitting the road to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for next week’s NJCAA National Championship Tournament.
In front of a packed home crowd, the No. 20-ranked Warhawks (31-3) defeated No. 21 Jones College 3-1 (22-25, 26-24, 25-21, 25-23) and secure their spot in the national tournament Nov. 19-22. Calhoun is the NJCAA Region 22 champion; Jones College (30-5) is the Region 23 champ.
“I’m honestly speechless right now,” said Freeman, the Region 22 Coach of the Year. “I’m just so happy and proud of this team. They’ve earned every bit of this moment. I can’t wait to get to the locker room to celebrate, and then we’ll get right back to work.”
As the Warhawks get “back to work,” they’re awaiting word for their seeding in the national tournament set for Nov. 19–22 at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse in downtown Cedar Rapids.
After dropping a close first set in the championship match, Calhoun faced a daunting 14-20 deficit in the second before storming back with a remarkable run to win 26-24. The win ignited a three-set winning streak to clinch the match.
The Warhawks were led by Alabama Community College Conference Tournament MVP Avery Boyd, who recorded 25 kills. Region 22 First Team selection Maddie Schwabe orchestrated the offense with 51 assists and contributed 19 digs defensively. Laney Kelley and Ashtyn Douglas each added 11 kills, providing key support at the net.
Defensively, Lucy Means anchored the back row with 20 digs, continuing her standout season as one of the ACCC’s top defenders.
