Gordon Lee only public school in GHSA Class A state volleyball second round

The Ridgeland volleyball team gathers around coach April Lemonds during their prep volleyball tri-match at Ringgold High School on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016, in Ringgold, Ga.
The Ridgeland volleyball team gathers around coach April Lemonds during their prep volleyball tri-match at Ringgold High School on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016, in Ringgold, Ga.
photo Ridgeland volleyball coach April Lemonds talks to players during their prep volleyball tri-match at Ringgold High School on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016, in Ringgold, Ga.

No matter what happens in the rest of the GHSA volleyball season, Gordon Lee is a state champion - of sorts.

Sixteen teams are still competing in the state tournament in each of the six classifications. In Class A, those are the Lady Trojans and 15 private schools.

Do they celebrate their public-school championship?

"Unfortunately we don't," said Gordon Lee coach Tricia Goodwin, whose team plays Thursday at Landmark Christian at 6 p.m. "This is the third year in a row we've been the last public school in our class. Last year we were in 2A. But no, there is no formal recognition for that."

Emma Boles is the kills leader for Gordon Lee (32-12-2), which has several victories over schools in larger classifications. Goodwin said libero Hannah Lee is the leader in digs among all schools nationally that enter statistics in the MaxPreps database.

The coach also said Aubree Yancey's blocks total is among MaxPreps' best in Georgia. Sidney Pierce is the assists leader for the Lady Trojans, who beat First Presbyterian Day 3-0 by set scores of 25-16, 25-11, 25-12 in their first-round match.

"Landmark Christian is going to be really competitive," Goodwin said, "probably as competitive as the type teams we play around here. I think the match could go either way. As long as we show up and play our game, I think we'll be fine. If we make it to the elite eight on Saturday, then it will be tough - really tough."

Four other northwest Georgia teams will play state second-round matches Thursday, including Ridgeland hosting Troup County in Class AAAA at 5:30. In AAA, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe will play at home against Southeast Bulloch at 5:30, Sonoraville hosts Redan at 6 and Ringgold plays at Westminster at 5:30.

Contact Kelley Smiddie at ksmiddie@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6653. Follow him on Twitter @KelleySmiddie.

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