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The Grace Christian Academy volleyball team held an alumni game Thursday. Head Coach, and alumna, Kelsey Harrell said the game drums up excitement for the season and gives her players a chance to practice against someone other than themselves. 

“It allows them to get those first game jitters out so that when our first actual game comes, they’ve kind of already done it and know what to expect from each other,” Harrell said.

The Lady Cougars played a best-of-five-set game against GCA alumni, winning in three sets. Harrell started the third set with a score of 8-0 in favor of the alumni team. She did this to simulate an in-game situation where the lady cougars would find themselves behind. 

The “Old Ladies,” as the alumni players were calling themselves, took advantage of the lead and controlled the match for its majority. That was until the lady cougars found their groove and fed junior Kate Poitevint the ball. 

The score was 18-23, and the Lady Cougars had just scored, giving them the serve. Almost every point the team scored looked the same after this moment. The Lady Cougars served the ball over, received a scoring attempt from the alumni team, and set up a kill for Poitevint on the left side of the court. This order of operations continued until Poitevint spiked the ball over the net for the 25th and winning point of the match.

“[Poitevint] adds a spark to the team,” Harrell said. “She has a love for the game, so she has that natural energy… I’m excited to see her play this year.” 

The Lady Cougars start their season at home against Colquitt County High School on Aug. 8.