Could this finally be the year for North Gwinnett volleyball? Nearing the end of the regular season, the Bulldogs have amassed a 33-1 record, dropping only eight total sets in their victories.
North Gwinnett is no stranger to success in volleyball. The Bulldogs first found their footing in 2014, winning 38 games before losing in a five-set thriller to North Cobb in the state championship. Two seasons later, they returned to the playoffs with a whopping 41-win campaign. However, the dream run was cut short by Lassiter’s excellence in the second round. This year’s North Gwinnett squad is out to etch their names into the history books as the first state champion in school history.
Even if the Bulldogs cannot win the Georgia Class 7A state title, they have already set a nearly unbreakable mark, winning 33 consecutive matches to start the season. They defeated both Lambert and Pope, two Top 10 teams in the state, in three sets. Prior to a 2-0 loss to fourth-ranked Buford this past Saturday, the Bulldogs had won nine consecutive matches in straight sets. They have rarely been challenged all season long, vaulting them to the state’s top spot last week.
Outside hitter Joya Screen has fueled the North Gwinnett volleyball team offensively – her 346 kills more than triple the output of any other teammate. Katherine Mollette has also been dynamite with 362 digs and 37 serving aces, second on the team. Sophomore Esosa Ehigiator will be a threat for the next two seasons if her current production of 40 blocks and 102 kills steadily grows. Thanks to excellent chemistry and depth, a well-coached Bulldogs squad has been able to overcome the rare sloppy performance. Those qualities should help them penetrate deep into the state playoffs regardless of how they finish the regular season.
It’s much easier to dominate in the regular season than it is to stay consistent in the playoffs. The Walton Raiders, though, have proven each year that they can dominate even the toughest of opponents, as showcased by 10 state championships in the past 12 years. Unusually, however, the Raiders have mostly limped through this season at 14-13, opening the door for other squads, such as North Gwinnett, to possibly claim a title.
Buford has won the last two 6A championships, and their move up to 7A has already proven to be a challenge for the Bulldogs, as they were mostly outplayed in their two-set loss. North Gwinnett also can’t overlook a rematch with Lambert, a perennial threat. The same can be said for both North Forsyth and Cherokee as well.
If the Bulldogs want to conclude their historic season with a state championship, they have to continue playing with the same energy and momentum they have strived to maintain all season long. Now that Buford has proven that the Bulldogs are no longer invincible, other teams will play with more confidence. This year’s 7A state title is available for any team to claim; there is no favorite. Will North Gwinnett step up to the challenge and write a storybook ending to an already legendary season?
