A house RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE Dorman High School volleyball TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN OUTSTANDING SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2023 SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS AAAAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the members of the Dorman volleyball team of Spartanburg County captured the state title from the championship series held on November 4, 2023; and

 

Whereas, to the excited cheers of their buoyant fans, the Dorman Lady Cavaliers defeated the highly competitive Wando High School, a Lowcountry powerhouse, in four sets out of the best three-of-five match to claim the program's fifteenth state title; and

 

Whereas, although the Lady Cavaliers dropped the first set 21-25 to the Wando Lady Warriors, the loss only fired up the Dorman team.   The scores that followed showed the team's ability to fight back for victory.  They took the title with 25-20, 25-14, and 25-21 sets; and

 

Whereas, Dorman's volleyball team was led by eight seniors; Jessie Adkins, Katie Camp, Josie Cotuna, Mackenzie Martin, Sarah Mitchell, Caroly O'Brien, Dani Perry, and Ryleigh Willard; and

 

Whereas, Lady Cavalier Carly O'Brien was named the AAAAA Volleyball Player of the Year; the South Carolina Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year, and the Region II Player of the Year. She and and teammate Ryleigh Willard were named to the North-South Volleyball All-Star match where Carly picked up the North team's Most Valuable Player honor for her play in that match; and

 

Whereas, several of the Lady Cavaliers were recognized as All-Region: seniors Katie Camp, Carly O'Brien, and Ryleigh Willard. Juniors Kayla O'Brien and Sophia Warren were All-Region, as well as sophomore Ramsey Larke Chastain; and

 

Whereas, Dorman began the season with a championship at the Byrnes Invitational. They did not drop a single set the entire tournament. One month later, when they entered the championship match at the Dorman Tournament of Champions, the Lady Cavaliers had improved their record to 23-1 before losing a thrilling match to North Myrtle Beach. They traveled to the Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona where they faced some of the best teams in the country. After battling with the best, they came away with a couple of exciting wins; and

 

Whereas, in Region 2 Class AAAAA play, the Lady Cavaliers dominated. Not only did they not lose a match, but also they did not drop a set to a region team. They continued to dominate play into the postseason, cruising through the first four rounds of the AAAAA playoffs by defeating Woodmont, Clover, Hillcrest, and Rock Hill high schools to setup the state match with Wando High School; and.

 

Whereas, Dorman volleyball team finished the season with a record of 35-7, and only two of their losses were to South Carolina opponents; and

 

Whereas, in a sport that requires speed, agility, and precision, Head Coach Paula Kirkland and her skilled assistant coaches maximized their own athletic ability and passion to hone a championship team and teach these athletes lessons that will prove invaluable through life both on and off the courts; and

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives appreciate the gratification and respect that the Dorman volleyball players have brought to their school and their community and anticipate hearing of their future success in the days to come. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Dorman volleyball team, coaches, and school officials for an outstanding season and congratulate them for winning the 2023 South Carolina Class AAAAA State Championship title.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Principal Bryant Roberson and Coach Paula Kirkland.

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