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(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Emma Hawkins throws the ball up in the air for a serve in one of the Ladycats tournaments. Hawkins was a first team all district player for Newcastle and also an academic all-district nominee.
The Newcastle Ladycats volleyball season came to an end in the area round of the playoffs this season against the Harrold Lady Hornets.
Despite the loss, there is still much to celebrate for the Ladycats this year.
The team made the community proud with their performance throughout the year and once again making a run to the second round of the playoffs.
The success of the team has also brought individual awards for several team members. The Ladycats up and down the board were recognized with district awards.
Camren Mallory was recognized for her abilities as a distributor and facilitator for her teammates being named district setter of the year.
Flor Carranza was also recognized as a defensive anchor for the Ladycats as she was named district libero of the year.
Sophie Terrell and Emma Hawkins were also recognized as key leaders for the Ladycats with them both receiving first team all-district honors.
Kenzie King, Aubree Clayton and Kinsey Hawkins followed this up with key recognitions of their own, earning second team all-district honors.
All district honorable mentions for the team came from Kinzee Forbus, Grayson Nunez and Greenleigh Moore.
King, Carranza, Mallory, Nunez, Clayton and Kinsey and Emma Hawkins also received academic all-district nods showing that they are not just remarkable athletes but students as well.
What’s even more encouraging is that while many of these players were seniors, some of them are upcoming players who will continue to be pillars for the Ladycats volleyball program for years to come.
The Newcastle community can be confident that the leadership of the team’s graduating seniors has been well instilled and the future is bright for the volleyball program for years to come.
