Sonoraville High School's volleyball team lost 3-0 at Decatur on Saturday in the GHSA's Class AA state quarterfinals, falling 32-30, 25-21 and 25-6.
Savanah Wilbanks (14 assists, two aces) and Emalie Hicks (nine kills, four digs, two aces) led the Phoenix, whose seniors finished a strong four-year run. According to an email from coach Trace Vaughn, in addition to setting program records this year for wins (41), consecutive wins (17) and winning percent (82), Sonoraville has won 155 matches in four seasons, a span that includes one trip to the state semifinals and three quarterfinals appearances.
After strong performances in the first two sets of Saturday's best-of-five match - the Phoenix led 16-10 in the second before a 12-point run by Decatur - Sonoraville faded late.
"Our girls were completely dejected after playing so well and losing the first two sets," Vaughn wrote. "I could see it in their faces after the second set, and nothing I said was having an impact. I used both of my timeouts early to try to redirect the girls, but we just couldn't get it cranked back up again. We had never been in that situation, and we were emotionally unable to rebound."
Vaughn said in his email that the program's senior class had "a tremendous impact on Sonoraville High School and the entire community."
"I cannot express how privileged I feel to have had the chance to coach these seniors and how proud I am of how hard the entire team fought this season," he said.
Decatur will face Westminster in Wednesday's semifinals, when Oconee County and Blessed Trinity will also play in the AAA bracket.
In other state quarterfinal matches involving area teams Saturday, Heritage lost 3-1 to St. Pius X and Gordon Lee lost 3-0 to Wesleyan in Class AA.