A concurrent RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE SOUTH AIKEN HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY VOLLEYBALL TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR A REMARKABLE SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2023 SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS AAAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is pleased to learn that the members of the South Aiken volleyball team captured the state title at the state tournament held at Dreher High School in Columbia on November 4, 2023; and

Whereas, to the ecstasy of their exuberant fans, the South Aiken Lady Thoroughbreds defeated a fine, competitive North Myrtle Beach team in three of four sets to garner the program's first state championship and end the season with a 44-5-1 record; and

Whereas, motivation to have a winning season that would take them to the state championship game came when an anonymous benefactor, someone who believed in the program, provided the team with the fabulous opportunity of a team trip to a volleyball camp at the University of Florida; and

Whereas, to get to their first-ever state finals appearance, South Aiken's volleyball team won its first playoff game at home against York High School, setting up another home game against Pickens High School. They won the Pickens game, which felt as competitive as an Upper State finals game should be. South Aiken then had the pleasure of playing and winning the Upper State finals game against Catawba Ridge High School at home again in front of their faithful fans; and

Whereas, the Lady T-Breds knew they would be facing North Myrtle Beach, the team that had played South Aiken's intown rival Aiken High School on this same stage just the year before in 2022. South Aiken had lost to Aiken in the 2022 Upper State finals in a four-set loss, and Aiken went on to win the state competition against North Myrtle Beach for the 2022 state trophy; and

Whereas, in the 2023 state finals, South Aiken dropped the first set in a disappointing rollercoaster of a first set against the North Myrtle Beach Lady Chiefs. The Lady Thoroughbreds had set point at 25 24 and again at 27-26, only to lose the set 28-30; and

Whereas, rather than discourage the players, South Aiken gained momentum and confidence and took the next three sets 25-18, 25-21, and 25-21 in a classic game that was the best possible send off for South Aiken's seven seniors who have left behind a legacy for the program to continue; and

Whereas, in a sport that demands strength and precision, speed and agility, Head Coach Cassie McKie and her skilled coaching staff maximized their own athletic experience and training to forge a championship-caliber team and teach these athletes life principles that will serve them well beyond the courts; and

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly values the pride and recognition that the South Aiken volleyball players have brought to their school and their community, and the members look forward to following their continued achievements in the days ahead. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and honor the South Aiken High School varsity volleyball team, coaches, and school officials for a remarkable season and congratulate them for winning the 2023 South Carolina Class AAAA State Championship title.

Be it further resolved that the copy of this resolution be presented to Principal Samuel Fuller and Coach Cassie McKie.

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