CELINA-The Clay County High Lady Bulldog volleyball team’s season recently came to an end in the first round of the regional tournament, completing what coach Gary Strong called a “great year.”

It was the most successful season in the three-year history of the team, as the Lady Dawgs wound up with a 29-14 overall record. 

“We just really had a great year,” said Strong, who was named District 7 co-coach of the year. “The girls made me a good coach. They worked hard all spring and summer leading up to the season and it showed by us winning almost 30 matches.

“They’ve laid a foundation for a good volleyball program here at Clay County High School,” Strong said. “We could easily have been at the state tournament with a few points falling differently here and there.” 

The Lady Dawgs also finished second in the District 7 regular season and district tournament, and had several players honored in the process (see photos).

The Lady Dawgs were eliminated in regional play in a close match against Friendship Christian.  District 7 regular season and tourney champ Jackson County topped FCS for the region title, and then fell to Signal Mountain in a sectional matchup. 

ABOVE RIGHT PHOTO:

ALL TOURNAMENT- Lady Bulldogs Kayla Kimes, Sarah Ogletree, and Randi Strong were named to the District 7 all-tournament team.

REGULAR SEASON ALL STARS-Several Lady Bulldog volleyball players were recently honored for their play during the regular season. (Front row, l-r) Sydney Roach, Karlee York, and Kayla Kimes were named honorable mention All-District 7-A. (Back row, l-r) Sarah Ogletree, Casey Cooper, Tessa Dixon and Randi Strong were named to the all-district team. Coach Gary Strong was named co-coach of the year. Cooper was also named to the all region tournament team.

RUNNERSUP-The CCHS Lady Bulldog volleyball team recently took second place in the District 7-A tournament. Shown here are (front row, l-r) Renea Morris, Kayla Kimes, Sarah Ogletree, Deanna Dixon, and Hannah Ogletree. Back row (l-r) are coach Gary Strong, Kristen Matthews, Sydney Roach, Tessa Dixon, Karlee York, Randi Strong, and Casey Cooper. The Lady Dawgs lost in the finals to Jackson County. (Photos courtesy Becca Donaldson)