The 2015 Lady Warrior volleyball season ended in the first round of the state tournament after losing to John’s Creek in a four set match at home. Despite the loss, NC finished their season winning 34 matches and losing 16 with one of the hardest schedules in the state.

“Coming from a state champion winning team, everybody expected us to still be that team and we weren’t. I think we came back this season with positive attitudes and several times this season we rose to the occasion against really tough team. When we came together as a team it was evident in our play,” junior setter Sam Aldridge said.

Feeling the pressure of state champion expectations going into a new season with a new starting lineup deemed challenging for NC in the opening games of the season. But as the season progressed, they proved their capability through wins against teams such as Harrison, South Forsyth, and Lassiter. During the tournament hosted by South Forsyth, NC supposedly did not appear threatening to contending teams like Lambert, Cambridge, and South Forsyth. The Lady Warriors showed out and beat all three teams in a row, proving that even though the state championship team lost four starters, they maintained a “next man up” mentality.

Traveling to Alabama to play in the Dirty Dozen and attending camp over the summer at University of Charleston, Coach James Auld took measures to ensure that NC’s competition challenged them. But NC’s tough schedule failed to stop them from performing well at times; beating Blessed Trinity for the first time in years, and winning with straight sets in a match against long time rival Harrison. This year for The Lady Warriors varsity volleyball team proved a learning experience, one that they hope carries into next season and push NC further through the state tournament once again.