Tuesday, October 20^th, the Rocky Mount Academy Varsity Volleyball team played their last home game of the 2015 season against Village Christian. Prior to the matchup, the team’s six seniors were recognized. While escorted by their parents, the head Volleyball coach, Gary Smith, gave a summary of the activities the seniors are involved in at Rocky Mount Academy and also their college plans. Many are undecided on their major (as most seniors are) and have sent in college applications. They are now waiting to receive acceptances to make a decision. Their fellow teammates (who are not seniors) presented them with both a rose and a balloon. The seniors on the team are: Emma Grace Sprinkle, Katie Gutshall, Mackenzie Lambert, Mackenzie Thompson, Erin O’Brien, and Annie Larimer. Many of them have been involved in volleyball at Rocky Mount Academy since they were in the seventh grade. They have had a large impact not only on volleyball at RMA, but the school as a whole.

Mackenzie Thompson had the first serve of the game for the last time in the Rocky Mount Academy gymnasium. After strong serves from both Mackenzie and Katie Gutshall, RMA was up 3-1. Senior Erin O’Brien, who is new to Rocky Mount Academy this year, has made a great addition to the team even though she has never played volleyball before. She was a starter along will all of the other seniors on the team. Village Christian eventually tied and took the lead, however RMA’s varsity girls did not give up and managed to slightly close the point differential, losing 10-25. The second matchup involved many volleys with clutch saves, making for an interesting game to watch. Connor Daughtridge bumped a ball that barely went over the net, saving her team from losing a point. Katie Gutshall also had a dig that brought the ball over the net. The team fought hard but lost the second and third matches. There was a large crowd present and their enthusiasm was evident by the cheering after RMA scored a point! The team’s seniors will be greatly missed next year as they have played major roles on the team for many years. The juniors and other lowerclassmen will have to step it up and recruit some new girls to maintain a strong team. Junior Bridget Ward said, “Although we haven’t been the most successful team at RMA (in terms of winning), we are the most consistent :))). The seniors will be greatly missed! They always kept a smile on our faces and we always looked forward to the practices and games with them.”

.