Conway, SC – When the Atlantic Collegiate Academy girls' volleyball team takes to the court Wednesday night in its opening round match in the SCHSL Class AA playoffs, the Armada will be attempting to complete a mission that started last fall.
 
The Armada, currently ranked third in Division AA with a 21-5 record on the year, lost to Philip Simmons last year in the state quarterfinals. ACA will likely have to cross paths with the top-ranked Iron Horses (33-5) again this year, but not until reaching the Lower State championship match.
 
Before worrying about that rematch, the Armada must get past is opening round match against Central High (4-12) out of Pageland. With a victory, ACA would face the winner of the opening match between Academic Magnet (14-10) and Lake Marion (7-9) in the second round on Monday.
 
Veteran ACA coach Larry Church said his team has been preparing for the challenge of the state tournament all season.
 
"We played in some tough tournaments against some really good 4A and 5A teams in order to get ready," Church said. "We spread those tournaments and matches out across the season to keep our kids focused."
 
The Armada swept through Region 7-AA play during the year with a perfect 12-0 record and without dropping a single set.
 
"Very often, those games are mismatches," Church said. "Most of our players compete in travel ball and spend all year training and practicing their sport. That is something that is just not available to most of the kids from the other schools in our region. I am reaching out to those coaches to see if I can help get those girls more opportunities to play travel ball, but it takes time."
 
Church said his players are also invested in growing the sport.
 
"These kids are great ambassadors for our sport," Church said. "They want to help grow the game and after our matches they spend time encouraging and offering tips to the players from the other schools in the region. Very often, as we load the bus to go home after a match, the players from the team we just played will come out and wave to our girls in thanks."
 
The Armada brings a veteran team into the state tournament, led by six seniors and five juniors who got a taste of championship play a year ago.
 
"We have 16 kids who can play, and that creates an incredible advantage because we can rotate players in and out to stay fresh in the longer matches we will play as we move through the tournament," Church said. "Even with the talent we have, we have kids that come from different programs, and who have different mindsets, and that takes time to bring together."
 
Church said the glue for the Armada has been senior libero/defensive specialist Addison Autry, a Myrtle Beach native who came over to ACA from Carolina Forest. Her coach said she is extremely competitive and is the one the other players listen to when they struggle or fall into a slump.
 
In addition to Autry, senior setter Kylie Jones, also an import from Carolina Forest, is a leader in the floor for the Armada while sophomore outside hitter Margaux Schafer and sophomore middle blocker Jasmine Dixon have come on strong during the season to become better leaders.
 
"We have a really balanced team with a good mix of older and younger players," Church said. "There is a different level of intensity with this team."
 
The ACA seniors include Autry and Jones as well as middle hitter Savina Pimentel and defensive specialists Allison Martin, Katy Delea and Kimauri Perkins. The Armada juniors include Zoey Rushman, Kayley Davis, Lane Skinner, Bella Goebel and Julie Wunderlich. The sophomores on the squad include Dixon and Schaefer along with Ava Holland, Sophia Pimentel and Sierra Roberts.
 
The Armada will be at home for the SCHSL playoffs through at least their first three matches with games scheduled for 6 p.m. starts. Should ACA reach the Lower State final, the site would be determined by who their opponent is. That game will be played on November 4. The state championship match is scheduled to be played at Dreher High in Columbia on November 8 with a 10 a.m. start.
 
About Atlantic Collegiate Academy: Atlantic Collegiate Academy (ACA), located in Conway, S.C., serves high school students in a safe, small and family-centered setting. Our students seek the opportunity and challenge of rigorous curriculum, high academic standards and elite athletics while also earning up to two years of college credit. ACA serves students in grades 9-12 using an honors curriculum in 9th and 10 grades with a dual enrollment curriculum in 11th and 12th grades. Learn more about ACA by visiting our website at AtlanticCollegiate.Academy and by following us on social media on Facebook, Instagram and X.