The Lady Conquerors conquered.
The Panhandle Christian Conference Volleyball Championship was hosted by Santa Rosa Christian School and participating teams included Pensacola Christian Academy and Central Christian (Robertsdale, AL) from the West Division (No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, respectively) and West Florida Baptist Academy and Trinitas Christian from the East Division (No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, respectively).
In semi-final matches, PCA defeated Trinitas in four and WFBA defeated Central in three. For third place, Trinitas defeated Central. The championship match, featuring both Division's No. 1 seeds, went four sets, with the last set going extra points.
WFBA's Lady Conquerors were the victors 25-20, 25-23, 19-25, and 26-24. The exciting fourth set started with a Conqueror run, but the Warriors battled back from a huge deficit and went up 24-23. Three consecutive kills by the Lady Conquerors sealed the conference championship, two by Emylee Minter and one from the back row by Halle Hartman. The Conquerors will finish their season in Dayton, Tennessee, at the National Association of Christian Athletes tournament.
"This season has been defined by these ladies overcoming adversity,“ Coach Robin Whiting said. ”We started the season with four seniors. Our all-star, senior libero (Alyssa Johnson) suffered a season-ending injury right before our season started. We had to adjust to new positions.
“Senior McKenzie Parker was taken out late in the season with a concussion and our senior middle starter Sarah Spayd's season ended after suffering a horrible ankle injury during our regional tournament,” Whiting added. “It took two to replace her, but they did it. We overcame. All of these girls are winners!"
In the championship match, tournament MVP Allison Whiting recorded a season high nine kills and added six aces, 32 digs and 34 assists. Adding to the kill count were Janelle Riley (14), Halle Hartman (10), Minter (nine), Ayanna Kelker (five), and Kyleigh Morris (three). Defensive Digs/Receptions tallied Halle Hartman 32/16, Minter 22/28, Kelker 20/24, Addi Johnson 16/9, Eden Hartman 12/1, and Riley 2/0.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Lady Conquerors win conference championship