Asheville Christian Academy volleyball wins 11th state title

Asheville Christian Academy volleyball added another state title on Halloween.

With a five-set victory over Cary Christian Academy, ACA claimed its 11th NCISAA title. Katie Alexander finished with a team-high 50 assists, 20 digs and six kills.

Coach Tori Render ran practice through Zoom the week leading up to the final match because of a mandated quarantine. After being able to reconnect with her team, Render expressed her thoughts on an unusual season.

“The girls played great,” Render said. “It was a battle, but we came out on top. The team at Cary was really good and deserve a lot of credit. A tough battle for sure. I’m so proud of these girls for pushing through with me being gone and coaching through quarantine on Zoom. And yet they still finished the season as state champs. I am beyond proud of this group.”

ACA won the first and second sets 25-22 and 27-25, respectively, before dropping the next two. Alexander would scored the final point in the match's fifth set.

Avery Jackson finished with 15 kills and 17 digs. Riley Shuman added 17 kills while Elizabeth Harrington picked up 11 kills. Peyton Hightower had 14 kills and four blocks, with Mia Burris adding 10 digs.