Morgan County High School’s varsity volleyball and fast-pitch softball teams were recognized as Class AA state champions during the Morgan County Board of Education meeting last Monday.
The teams made school history on Nov. 2 by winning their respective state championships on the same day.
First to be recognized was the Spike Dog volleyball team, which includes Riley Mitchell, Brayden Burke, Lily Jenkins, Camryn Scherer, Haedyn Crumbley, Quinn Butler, Natalie Phillips, Graycen Cawthon, Mari Johnson, Abby Dennard, Makenna Cannington, Chloe Burns, Hailey Floyd, Bailey Dennard, and Danielle Nunn. They are led by head coach Kathleen Goodwin, lead assistant coach Pam Hooten, junior varsity coach Faith Heusser, varsity assistant coach Anna Cox, program support Beth Dennard, Kaleo Willcoxson, and Carson Cameron.
The team ended the regular season as region champions, going 5-0 in the region without dropping a set.
“They made quick work of a lot of our region matches, and that was an accomplishment in and of itself,” Goodwin shared during the BOE meeting. “During the season, we [also] battled opponents way above our AA range, including wins over the AAA state champ Jefferson and the AAAA state runner-up Cartersville. We went into the state tournament ranked No. 1 in AA and [ranked in the] top 25 in the state, and I would have put these girls up really against anybody.”
The Spike Dogs went 5-0 again in the state tournament without losing a set. They beat Salem High School in the first round, Sonoraville High School in the Sweet Sixteen, East Jackson Comprehensive High School in the Elite Eight, Ringgold High School in the Final Four, and finally, Savannah Arts Academy in the state championship game held at LakePoint.
They ended the regular season with a 90-percent win rate and an overall record of 37-4. The Spike Dogs’ state championship win is the team’s second state championship in three years.
After beating Oconee County, Morgan County was crowned the state champion in 2022.
“[They’re] just a phenomenal group of athletes, and I’m very, very proud of what they accomplished together,” Goodwin said about the team’s accomplishments. I can’t imagine better role models than these girls. They are academic achievers as well as athletic achievers. I’m just really proud to be [their] coach, and I’m also really proud to work in this community.”
Goodwin thanked the BOE, MCHS administration, coaches, and parents for their support this season: “We have such amazing support from our community, and it doesn’t go unnoticed or unappreciated because it allows these girls to do what they love so much.
Since our big win, we’ve been showered with love from the community. We got to parade through all the younger schools, and hearing a little primary school kid say ‘Go Dogs’ was just so sweet.”
Softball head coach Chad Pigg also shared highlights from his team’s season.
The Lady Dogs include Hadleigh Bruce, Jayden Daniel, Chandler Aaron, Kymora Smith, Payton Davis, Mary Faulkner, Kennedi Johenkins, Sadie Bartlett, Ryleigh Hilsman, Jaleigh Harper, Harper Patrick, Ava Gaddy, Darcie Whitaker, Brooklynn Mims, Kensley Kindle, and Mallory Martin. Pigg, Jason McBay, Shelly Hilsman, Jordan Deep, Adrienne Butler, and Jessie Brown coach the team.
This season, Morgan County had a team average of 361, with 305 hits, 62 doubles, 12 triples, 18 home runs, 238 RBIs, 330 runs, and 193 stolen bases. The pitching staff, led by Ryleigh Hilsman, had an Earned Run Average (ERA) of 153, 202 strikeouts, 32 walks, and a batting average of 196 against Morgan.
The team went 29-5 in 2024, with four regular-season losses against teams that advanced to the state championship round.
In the state playoffs, they beat Salem High School, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School, Rockmart High School, and Union County High School before defeating reigning AA state champion Appling County High School to take over the title.
“I’m extremely proud of what we were able to accomplish on Saturday,” Pigg said of the Lady Dogs’ state championship performance. “Winning a softball state championship in Georgia is not an easy feat. Georgia is known for really good softball, and while I’m proud of winning our last game, as only one team in AA gets to do it, I’m more proud of how we got to do it.
“Our girls took the high road every time we were given opportunities to chirp back at other teams or complain to umpires. They control the controllables. They take one pitch at a time, and they fight until there are no more outs left. They welcome trials and tribulations because it’s an opportunity to overcome.”
Pigg said coaching the team makes him a better "coach, husband, and father."
“I can speak about them individually and write a book, but this group would rather me talk about them because that’s what they are," Pigg added. "They’re committed to each other’s success, so I’m blessed and proud to lead this group of amazing coaches and players. I love this group. We cannot be any more proud of what we accomplished or how we accomplished it.”
Pigg thanked the BOE, MCHS administration, coaches, community, and his family for their support.
“The support we’ve received since [the state championship] win has been really, really instrumental, and it shows what kind of community we have,” Pigg shared. “We really, really appreciate all the support.”