East Hamilton’s volleyball program made back to-back-trips to the TSSAA Class 2A state championship match the past two years.
While the final game of the season did not go their way in either case, the Lady Hurricanes have learned from their disappointments and are determined they can take care of unfinished business.
Star senior Tristin Sutton — who posted a combined 69 assists, 21 digs, 10 kills and three aces in the title matches — believes it’s possible. She’s certainly playing like it as part of a team that also has nine experienced juniors.
“I feel like we have that experience now,” said Sutton, a 5-foot-10 setter who closed Tuesday’s district win at Ooltewah by serving East Hamilton to 17 straight points and had 14 aces in one match this season. “We want it more after those two setbacks. I feel like this year is different. Our chemistry and how fast we can adjust to everything is much better. I feel like we have a good shot to win it all.”
Antonela Suzuki, now in her fourth season as East Hamilton’s head coach, has watched Sutton grow from an impact freshman on a state tournament team to one of the top leaders and playmakers in Tennessee who also has a 4.0 GPA in the classroom.