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Grace Christian Academy volleyball player Kate Poitevint competed at the USA Volleyball Junior National Championship. 

Poitevint traveled to the Chicago tournament at the beginning of the month with her club team, Tallahassee Volleyball Academy (TVA). She said the top-notch competition there was energizing.

“The tournament was very exciting as teams came from all over the country to participate,” Poitevint said. “I had a blast competing against some of the best talent around and playing with a team I love.”

The four-day tournament ran from July 3-July 6. Poitevint’s team played seven games total between two sets of pool play. Poitevint said she was proud of her team’s play, especially in the first game.

“Both offensively and defensively, our team wasn’t missing. We were on fire,” Poitevint said. “On day two, we played a team from Oklahoma that was seeded number 3 in the tournament. Both sets were tight, and I felt we elevated our play.”

Poitevint is in her fourth year playing volleyball and her second with TVA, according to her mother, Stephanie Poitevint. Poitevint said she’s seen her daughter’s skill level “skyrocket” with the club. She also said she’s proud of her daughter’s hard work and commitment to volleyball.

“She’s the only one in Bainbridge that’s doing this,” Poitevint said. “We drove to Tallahassee three times a week since November, and she put in six hours of practice a week just in the gym.”

Poitevint, a junior at Grace Christian Academy, said she is excited for her third varsity volleyball season with the school. Although the team lost seniors from last season, Poitevint said she expects the team to be successful.

“Coach Kelsey and Coach Delaney are bringing back a team that is committed to improving throughout the year,” Poitevint said. “Even though several members of our team are playing different positions this year, we are still setting high expectations with a goal to go deep in the playoffs.”

The Lady Cougars start their season with a home game against Colquitt County High School Aug. 8.