VARSITY VOLLEYBALL: 2023 STATE CHAMPIONS
The Mount Pisgah Christian School Varsity Volleyball Team brought home the school’s first GHSA State Championship on Friday, Nov. 3.
MPCS families, students and faculty made their presence known at the Lakepoint Sports Complex as they cheered on the Patriots to a convincing 3-1 set victory over region opponent Whitefield Academy.
Head Coach Claire Morgan characterized the win by saying, “the goal we set on day one of summer workouts finally came to fruition, and man did it feel good.”
During the regular season, the team set many school records. Nevaeh Arnold surpassed 1000 career assists. Lane Kruse now holds the kill record at 889. Adrianna Figurilli now holds the service aces single-season record at 138. To cap it all off, the Patriots ended their historic run with a final record of 41-9.
Head Coach Claire Morgan was awarded Region 6 and 1A State Coach of the Year, and senior Lane Kruse was awarded Region 6 Offensive Player of the Year and 1A State Player of the Year.
In 2005 the Patriots also brought home a state championship title under the Georgia Independent Schools Association (GISA). Assistant coaches and faculty members Janey Smith ‘08 and Carly Morris ‘09 played on that championship team as MPCS students. Eighteen years later, they are part of the coaching team that once again brought home a trophy for the school.
The team entered the GHSA State Tournament as the No. 1 seed after finishing 10-0 in region play and securing the region championship a week prior. From there, they hosted a series of home playoff games.
They defeated Darlington, Barrow Arts and Sciences Academy, and Savannah before traveling to face Mt. Bethel Christian Academy in a Final Four match. After losing in the state semis last season, the Patriots knew they needed to overcome and advance to the next stage. They won and earned their place to play the championship match against Whitefield Academy.
During the final match, the team took a convincing first-set win before losing a nerve-filled second set.
“After a quick refocus and mindset shift before the third set, I knew it was up to the girls to decide it was time to go, and they came out and proved they were supposed to be there,” said Coach Morgan. “It was in that moment, after regrouping and shifting the focus to “this is ours,” that I knew we were going to bring home that trophy.”
This year's senior class boasts two collegiate volleyball commits. Lane Kruse and Nevaeh Arnold are committed to play volleyball at Carnegie Mellon and Johnson and Wales University respectively.
Coaches
Head Coach Claire Morgan
Assistant Coach AJ Jones
Assistant Coach Carly Morris ‘09
Assistant Coach Janey Smith ‘08
Players
Nevaeh Arnold - Senior
Lane Kruse - Senior
Camila Trujillo - Senior
Adrianna Figurilli - Junior
Kate Garver - Junior
Natania Nasieku - Junior
Madison Atkinson - Sophomore
Olivia Commissariat - Sophomore
Maddie Cuppia - Sophomore
Reghan Frazzetta - Sophomore
Kamryn Smith - Sophomore
Sophia Nasieku - Freshman
11/9/2023