Submitted PhotoThe Valwood volleyball team is pictured.

The Valwood volleyball team graduates two seniors this year, and with the remaining impactful players being three freshmen, three sophomores and one junior, the future looks bright for the program that won four straight region titles and made deep playoff runs.

The Valiants ended their season with a 27-2 record and finished as the GISA state runners-up last week, falling to defending state champion Heritage.

Entering as the No. 1 seed from Region 2, Valwood defeated fourth-seeded Monsignor Donovan in straight sets (25-9, 25-12, 25-10) last Friday and faced defending GISA state runner-up Oak Mountain Academy in the quarterfinal round. The match was a test of will, but the Valiants earned a spot in the semifinals while avenging their only loss on the season. Valwood won in five sets (10-25, 25-23, 25-21, 20-25, 15-5). 

Valwood defeated No. 1 Augusta Prep in three sets (25-16, 25-21, 25-22). Statistical leaders in the semifinal included senior Erin Moss with 23 kills, six digs, three blocks and four aces. Sophomore Kennedy Kimbro earned two kills, 33 assists and six digs. Senior Nicole Manwell also tallied six digs.  

Heritage made light work of the Valiants the opening set of the championship, but Valwood kept the match competitive. Heritage, with six returning starters from the 2017 state championship team (all of which were all-region players from the GISA’s strongest volleyball region), bested the Valiants to win their second state championship in as many years (10-25, 16-25, 21-25).  

The Valiants were led by Moss with 16 kills, five digs and two blocks. Kimbro added two kills, 23 assists and six digs.