MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – It would be hard to dismiss Signal Mountain and Boyd-Buchanan as something other than the two best Class A volleyball teams in the TSSAA. They were in the spotlight otherwise known as the state final, and each team’s leading lady was a major reason why.
The teams battled for the fifth time this season Friday with Signal’s Lady Eagles winning 3-1 and earning the title.
On one side there was junior Callie Hildebrand and the red-clad Lady Eagles. On the other was senior Rachel Harper and the blue-clad Lady Bucs.
Much like all the meetings before – Signal Mountain ended up with a 4-1 edge in matches for the season – nothing came easily. But both leaders were determined to do everything in their power to will a victory.
Hildebrand ended up making 19 digs and serving three aces, but the last of her 19 kills is what she’ll best remember. That’s what ended it.
“When the set was in the air, I just knew I was going to put it down,” Hildebrand said. “The last point was like magical.
“This is one of the best moments of my life.”
Hildebrand said it was like living with the sting of getting eliminated in third place last year. Boyd-Buchanan was state champion in Harper’s junior year.
She returned, but four starters from a season ago were gone. Her performance Friday included 24 kills, 19 digs and four aces. For the tournament she had 104 kills, 103 digs and 17 aces.
“You don’t come across a player like Rachel Harper but once in a blue moon,” Boyd-Buchanan coach Amber Nolen said. “She’s a phenomenal athlete, a phenomenal student and has got such a great heart. It will definitely be hard to replace her athletically, as well as her spirit.”