Science Hill finishes state runner-up in program's best season

MURFREESBORO — Consider the standard set for Science Hill's volleyball program. The Lady Hilltoppers' best season in program history ended with the team's deepest ever state tournament run. Science Hill, which won two five-set matches to reach its first-ever state final, came up short in Friday's TSSAA Class AAA championship match to Franklin 25-19, 25-18, 25-22 at the MTSU Murphy Center. With a 43-5 record, the Lady 'Toppers followed their semifinal run last season with a state runner-up finish. "Each team has done something to push the bar just a little bit further. This year was no different," Science Hill coach Laura Cook said. "Getting that semifinal win was a huge goal they accomplished for our program and school. I was proud to get to this match, proud for this team because they wanted it so bad. Proud of them for getting to this match and setting the bar." Once more, Science Hill put forward a balanced attack. Clara McBride led the way with seven kills. Bryleigh Scott, Chloe Conner, Lizzie Clark and Sofia Pavlovich each had six. Lucy O'Daniel recorded a double-double to wrap up her junior season, dishing out 29 assists with a team-high 10 digs while also serving three aces. Claire Lamb and Isa Dau tallied seven five digs respectively, Dau also serving a pair of aces. Science Hill led 9-5 in the opening set before the Lady Admirals (33-1) rallied. Ellyson Fogle's block broke an 18-18 tie as Franklin ended the first frame on a 7-1 run, capped by Clara Leister's set-point block. Franklin took an eight-point lead in the second set before Science Hill got within 21-17, but Fogle served an ace on set point for a 2-0 lead. Still, Science Hill wouldn't break, not even after falling behind 15-9 in the third frame. McBride hammered back-to-back kills with Franklin at match point, but an attack error ended the comeback. "They love each other and they love playing with each other," Cook said. "It's hard when your season ends. But I'm proud of them, proud of the fight. They've had a really good season." ADMIRALS IN COMMAND Junior setter Emerson Garner, the AAA tournament MVP, is one of four juniors on Franklin's team headed to a NCAA Division I program — having verbally committed to Auburn. Garner dished out 34 assists with seven digs on Friday night. "She's big time. In the bigger games, she just rises even higher and makes plays that keep us alive," Franklin coach Makayla Beebe said. "Not only that, she's a great leader as well, kind of calming the team in those moments you need it the most. She's outstanding." Jorden Robinson (Wake Forest), Maggie Myhr (Iowa) and Fogle (Eastern Kentucky) will go Division I after their senior years in 2027. But two of this year's Franklin seniors, Brynn Pennington and Grace Caroline Steih, are both going to Wingate University. Fogle had a double-double with 14 kills and 12 digs to lead the Lady Admirals. Steih had 12 kills, with Garner and Leister adding six apiece. Pennington had four blocks and two service aces. STRONG SUPPORT Scott, McBride, Conner, Dau and Kaitlyn Wallace finished their prep careers with Friday's state championship match. Their senior class set a solid example for Science Hill's future volleyball players. "We've gotten messages from the middle schools and elementary schools, so people are just really behind this team," said Cook, while also pointing out Science Hill brought two activity buses full of students to cheer on the Lady Hilltoppers. "People are seeing this, and the community has really gotten behind our team and done a great job. Just the outpouring of love for our team has been a joy to see throughout the community."