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Winning and Having Fun: Mustangs Roll Past Rebels, Jenkins
Volleyball
South Effingham’s Destiny Young makes a key dig in the second set against Effingham County, helping the Mustangs close out a 2-0 win. (Gilbert Miller / Effingham Herald)

GUYTON, Ga. – South Effingham volleyball coach Haywood Ellison says he doesn’t want to lose another match. An 11-game winning streak suggests his Mustangs have a similar agenda.

SEHS continued its strong play Tuesday night by defeating Effingham County 2-0 (25-18, 25-17) and Jenkins 2-0 (25-9, 25-15) in a tri-match at the Mustangs’ gym. Effingham County (7-9) topped Jenkins 2-0 (25-11, 25-14).

“We’re playing well and that’s what I expected,” Ellison said. “We have a good group of seniors, and they’re having fun with each other. That’s the biggest thing.”

Winning has been enjoyable for South, which hasn’t experienced a loss since Aug. 23 in a competitive weekend tournament at North Forsyth High School. During that tournament, the Mustangs pulled off a signature victory over eight-time champion Westminster. Last week, they claimed the upper hand in subregion standings with a key 2-1 win over Glynn Academy.

Rebels vs. South
Effingham County’s Jordyn Powell delivers a powerful kill over two South Effingham defenders early in the second set. (Gilbert Miller / Effingham Herald)

Mustangs’ Strong Start

South jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the first set against Effingham County and briefly trailed 4-3 in the second set before running off a 6-1 spurt to pull away.

Senior middle blocker Clara Vorel, committed to Towson, dominated the action with 10 kills – seven in the first set – while teammate Morgan Stringer ended both sets with emphatic kills.

“We changed our rotation a little so we always have either Stringer or Vorel on the court at all times,” Ellison said. “The defense has gotten better, and when we’ve had opportunities to attack, we’re attacking.”

Volleyball
The Rebels’ Brynley Jordan sets up a teammate late in the second set, with her team down 11-19. (Gilbert Miller / Effingham Herald)

Revenge Against the Rebels

Getting past Effingham County has been part of SEHS’ growth. The Rebels won all three matches against the Mustangs last season, including a region tournament win that eliminated South from a state playoff spot. So far this season, the Mustangs have beaten the Rebels twice, including a 2-0 victory on Aug. 21.

“Any time you play your rival, you want to win those games,” Ellison said.

Rebels Rebuilding

Effingham County is rebuilding after losing nine seniors from a school-record 30-win team last season. The Rebels, who have six sophomores on their 13-girl roster, showed flashes of promise Tuesday. They fought back from an early deficit in the first set to get within three at 16-13 after a kill by sophomore Ka’Meil Bates. A Bates kill and Bella Giaquinto service ace sparked an early three-point run that gave ECHS a lead in the second set.

“We’re either offensively on or defensively on, and it seems like we can’t be on at the same time,” Rebels coach Brittany Lein said. “You have to do both in a game to win it.”

Volleyball
South Effingham coach Haywood Ellison and his players show their emotions late in the match against Effingham County. ‘We’re playing well, and they’re having fun with each other,’ Ellison said. (Gilbert Miller / Effingham Herald)