MORGAN COUNTY
After making it out of the first two rounds of the GHSA state playoffs, the Morgan County volleyball team experienced a third-round exit earlier last week.
The Spike Dogs lost to Oconee County 3-1 in the third installment of this season’s matchup.
Morgan County head coach Kat Goodwin told the Lake Oconee News that she knew it was going to be a tough match, and that it was the “perfect storm” for Oconee County.
“The game against Oconee, specifically, we knew was going to be tough, and we knew they were hungry for it after what happened last year,” Goodwin said. “We knew that if they showed up, and we were off even a little bit, that it could go in their favor. They had our hitters' numbers and were all over us on the block with our serves also not going our way. It was the perfect storm for them, but ultimately, I’m proud of the work the team put in this year when it’s all said and done.”
Even after the unwanted exit, Morgan County still put together an impressive season.
The Spike Dogs went 31-10 overall and had multiple wins over tough opponents. Goodwin believed the team’s confidence grew when they went up to Atlanta for a tournament earlier in the season.
“The team went up to play Westminster and Holy Innocents, two amazing private schools in Atlanta, and they won both as I watched remotely,” Goodwin said. “Beautiful volleyball. They were connecting and playing high-level volleyball, and that was the first time we looked at these girls and said you can’t say we don’t play anybody, because look at who we just beat.”
Goodwin said her most memorable moment of the season was seeing junior Haedyn Crumbley return for the playoffs after missing the regular season due to injury.
“That was the moment we knew we could be good as a team, but as a coach, I will always remember seeing the smile on Haedyn’s face and her family and teammates cheering for her when she got to go during the first round of the playoffs,” Goodwin said. “Just a pure joy for her getting to be back out there after working so hard to get back on the court. She’s just a good kid from a good family, and that moment meant a lot to me personally.”
On top of the Spike Dogs regular season dominance, they went a perfect 10-0 in region play for the fourth year in a row.
Six Morgan County players were recognized by the All-Region team. Camryn Schrere, Abby Dennard, Cloe Burns, and Quinn Butler were named to the All-Region First Team. Butler was also recognized as the Region 8-AAA Player of the Year, while E’Mariona Johnson was honorable mention.
Goodwin understands that there was a lot her team did well this year, but there’s still more to work on for next season.
“We worked on executing plays, not sending predictable balls up to our offense when we can help it, and connecting with fast volleyball,” Goodwin said. “I think we did well meeting that objective of staying aggressive on offense, but a defensive-minded person. I think our defense could use work in the future. Our blocking and serve-receive wasn’t tight as I would have liked, and going forward, just breaking down the fundamentals of passing a little bit more.”
Additionally, Goodwin acknowledged the team wouldn’t have been as successful without the help of her supporting staff.
“Coach Hooten was effectively a co-head coach, and we went into the season knowing I’d miss some matches,” Goodwin said. “I can’t say enough about her and what she constantly does for this program, and I consider this team to be hers just as much as it is mine. We talk every day and work well together. I would also be remiss not to talk about Coach Williams. She’s the JV coach, and she’s a soccer coach. Soccer is her main sport, but she helps with volleyball, and if you have a coaching question, she’s the one to go to. Our whole staff has been wonderful to work with.”
The Spike Dogs will only lose two players In the offseason to graduation and will return a lot of firepower next season.