DHS volleyball and tennis teams begin Class 3A playoff runs
DHS All Region Volleyball
Three Lady Falcon volleyball players were named to the all region team. From left Kiana Smith, Davida Scott and Kadasia Damon.
Photo by Will Isgett
Lady Falcons Tennis Team:
(back row, left to right) Ryanne Weatherford, Isabella Haynes, Christina Wenteler, Elizabeth Lawson, Christina Epps, Laurel Dennis, Kinsley Chestnut, Lauren McLennan, Ericka Smith; (front row, left to right) Margaret Godbold, Ella Watford, Madison Suggs, Claire McLennan, Gracelyn Nichols, Coach Cameron Bridgeman
Photo by Samantha Lyles
By Will Isgett
Contributing Writer
Both the Lady Falcon volleyball team and tennis team begin their playoff runs this week with hopes of capturing the Class 3A championships.
The volleyball team finished third in the region, behind Hartsville and Marlboro County and will travel to North Myrtle Beach on Thursday October 29, while the tennis team finished in second place behind Hartsville and will play host to St. James High School at the Bill Cain Tennis Center at 5 p.m. on Thursday October 29.
Although young the volleyball team put together a very successful season according to head coach Jessica DeStefano, better know as “Coach D.”
“Finishing third in the region behind two very strong teams is nothing to be ashamed of,” Coach D said. “We’re excited to travel down to North Myrtle Beach to see what they have.”
Building a consistent playoff team is something that Coach D has done as the head coach for the Lady Falcons, and with the addition of a new Darlington Middle School volleyball team and the surging junior varsity team the sky is the limit for the varsity program.
The junior varsity program under coach Pam Frick finished second in the region and that only bodes well for the progress of the program.
“When I came in here six years ago there were 10 or 15 girls who wanted to play,” Coach D said. “We had 80 girls try out here this year, and I love that the interest is shifting to volleyball.”
The tennis team under first year coach Cameron Bridgeman has the luxury of being able to host their first round match in Darlington.
With only one senior on the team this season in Elizabeth Lawson, Bridegman is helping to continue the success of the program that her predecessor Spencer Tyner built.
Bridgeman said this has been a season of learning for her and the team.
“I was telling my girls earlier this year, that this has been a learning experience for us, especially with me being a first year coach,” Bridgeman said. “I’ve learned lots of things, including dedication and putting in the hard work that it takes to makes a team succeed.”
Bridgeman was a tennis player herself at West Florence High School and think that hosting a playoff match is not only big for the girls, but also the city of Darlington.
“We’ve had a great year and I’m excited that we’ll be hosting a playoff match,” Bridgeman said. “We don’t have
to travel and that’s always important. We’re really excited for the opportunity”
Bridgeman said that the support for the team this year has been amazing and she appreciates the parents, administration and fans, and wants to invite everyone to come out to the playoff match.
