Coach Erwin Harrell’s Grace Christian Academy Lady Cougars volleyball team finished a strong season by advancing to Georgia Independent Schools Association state quarterfinals in Newnan where they lost a tight 3-0 decision to Oak Mountain Academy of Carrollton, the eventual state champions.

After the state competition, coach Harrell informed the team that he had made a decision to step down as varsity volleyball coach.

“I have coached the Lady Cougars varsity volleyball team for 10 years and compiled a record of 110-85” he said.

The Lady Cougars opened state tournament play with a 3-1 victory over Monsignor Donovan Catholic High School of Athens, putting them into the state quarterfinals where they dropped a 3-0 decision to eventual state champion Oak Mountain Academy of Carrollton.

Against Monsignor Donovan, the Lady Cougars won the first set 25-18, dropped the second set 22-25, won the third set 25-21 and won the fourth set 25-19. Statistics leaders for the Lady Cougars were Kelsey Harrell with 18 kills, Kaitlyn Holcombe with 10 kills and six blocks, McKenzie Brown with four blocks, Sarah Castoro with 17 digs and Addie Elkins with eight digs.

Kelsey Harrell had had a 15-of-15 100 percent serve percentage and Abigail Mills had a 9-of-9 100 percent serve percentage.

Against Oak Mountain, the Lady Cougars were led by Kelsey Harrell with six kills, Kaitlyn Holcombe with five kills and two blocks, McKenzie Brown with two blocks, Sarah

Castoro with 15 digs, Lindsey Duke with 14 assists and a 14-of-14 100 percent serve percentage.

Coach Harrell said he was very proud of his Lady Cougars for their state round performances.

“We had a decent tournament defeating Monsignor Donovan and advancing to the quarter finals and then losing to the eventual state champs of Oak Mountain,” he said. “We had a great season at 15-5 and I am proud of the way the ladies stayed focused and competed in every match.”