Arnold volleyball continued its postseason run with a three-set sweep of Booker T. Washington in the round of 32 of the Class 4A Region 1 playoffs Wednesday, Oct. 21.
The Lady Marlins won 25-17, 25-23, 25-12 to secure their first state playoff victory and continue a season that has already included ending a decade-long drought without a district championship.
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Arnold set the tone early, opening the first set with a 10-2 run on its way to a 25-17 victory. The Lady Marlins faced a closer challenge in the second set but held on for a 25-23 win before pulling away in the third set, 25-12, to complete the sweep.
For coach Wayne Risinger, the team's success has been the result of a group that continues to push beyond its limits.
“When we started, I thought a district championship would be a really good goal, but it wasn't enough for them,” Risinger said. “They're hungry, it's a bunch of young kids that just want to learn and get better.”
Risinger pointed to Arnold's defensive anchors as key factors in the team's performance.
“Every single time, they're just disciplined on the defensive side of the ball with our setters making great decisions,” he said. “They make it look easy, but I promise you they're working really hard every single day in this gym.”
The Lady Marlins' depth has also helped them navigate the postseason, particularly with three key players out with injuries.
“I've got girls that I can put anywhere and my defense is interchangeable," he said. "Every single kid on the team played today."
Freshman outside hitter Micah Mae Jones was dominant on the left side with critical kills that outpaced the Lady Wildcats.
“I think that I get the perfect pass from our passers and the perfect set from our setters,” Jones said. “So overall, as a team, I feel like it's a team effort for me to get such amazing kills and for us to do well.”
The team's driving force is to get better and be better than the point before.
“We put a lot of effort into working hard and being a team,” she said. “We put a lot of energy in everything we do.”
After capturing a district championship and earning a postseason victory, Arnold has its sights set on a deeper playoff run.
The Lady Marlins will also return much of their current roster next season. Risinger noted that only one of the 15 players who took the court would not be back, giving the program reason for optimism beyond this year's postseason.
However, Arnold is focused on what it can accomplish this season.
“It's a team that's motivated and going in the right direction,” Risinger said. “The future is also bright, but it's a team right now that's playing at a high level.”
Risinger believes the Lady Marlins have the talent and determination to keep advancing.
“I believe that they can beat anybody in the state right now,” he said.
Jones shares that confidence. “I think we could win state,” she said.
Arnold hosts No. 3 Choctawhatchee on Saturday Oct. 24 in the Class 4A Region 1 semifinals.
Adebanji Bamidele is a sports reporter for the Panama City News Herald. He can be reached at abamidele@gannett.com or through X, formerly known as Twitter, @AdebanjiPCSport.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Arnold volleyball sweeps Booker T. Washington, advances to semifinals