Press Conference: East Wake Academy, Mountain Island Charter after 1A volleyball championship Leave this field blank Subject:* A friend wanted you to see this item from High School OT: https://wr.al/1Jlea The volleyball teams from East Wake Academy and Mountain Island Charter meet with the media following the 1A state championship match on Saturday afternoon. Show Transcript sure this was a season about how strong we could be. Mentally, we've had the physical skills for a while and have just never been able to pull it together, essentially. And, um, a part of that has to do with the two young ladies that are sitting with me. One is Kristen C. V. R. Setter, who no matter what we give her, she figures it out, and it gets all stars to our hitters. And the other is Krista Brantly, who came into the season this year who said, um, straight out the gate, that no matter what this looks like this year, we're going all the way that we're going to do whatever it takes in practice in games to get us to this point. And so she sort of set the tone for the season, and the team has just followed that lead. Thank you for that coachman Cummings. We'll open it up to questions in the room first and then on Zune. Okay. Marty found the, uh So you were an underdog in every single playoff game in this postseason. And yet you kept winning every single one. So what does it feel like? Toe end the underdog season with the state championship. You know what? It Z kind of surreal. We we kind of thrived off of it. What we did was we recognize that because we were seated 12, we had to beat some tough teams and that kept us playing. And it kept us playing hard. And it kept us honest to what we do on DSO. You know, again, our practices were set up for this. This is what we practiced all year long was coming from behind. No one really expecting us to do much of anything on bats. What we said our practices for and it was intentional for either the players. Um what? When three guys, you're utterly And the force that starts to get away from you a little bit. They're on a roll when you're down. 21 12 1 point e thinking I think came back Thio lead 24 21. What was How are you guys able Thio kind of keep yourself together, but also just turned the match around right there. Well, I think for most of us mostly it waas We never worried about what they were. It was all about us. And what? What we could do for our defense? What we could How big of a black can we put up? How hard can we swing? It was we were talking about. We were like, it doesn't matter what happens here. Like we need to show some fight and show some hustle. And that's exactly what we did. Yeah, in those huddles when we came in, it wasn't about being reactive being like, Okay, they're doing so much. It was I need someone to put the ball down and we're gonna be aggressive from here on out. And that's how we got out of those holes. Questions for for the players, both both seniors. Uh, a lot of people are wondering if you were even gonna play it all this year And how if you you are state champions, so as it feels to kind of not just play a season at all, but end it with the state title and go off in the sunset is a senior e. Can't even believe this is happening. It's still like I'm still trying to catch up to it. I just We've We've been playing since sixth grade together, and it was just We were a family and we just have to get through it together and we're determined we were going to win and we did This year. It's been like all four years leading up training for this moment. It's four years in the making. We knew we could from the start. It was never physical from the start of the season, it was all mental. We had the physical strength. We gave the emotional strength through all these trials we went through and coach kind of follow to the senior class. Uh, not just these two girls, but a few other on the roster made some really big contributions all season long. So what can you say about this senior class and how they stood out from from the rest and your previous years approaching? I think that this senior class we had a couple of players a wish Thomas, for one who's always been a part of this team. But this year just found something different in something special, and she brings some energy and she makes big plays when we need it, whether it's from the service line or from hitting. And I think that the team has just rallied around that and supported her in that, Um And then we've got Piper King Lexi Brantly, who has probably been on this team the shortest amount of time, and she got the, You know, the Sportsmanship Award, and it's because it's not for a lack of skills. But Lexie is a softball player, and she has shown up and supported her team and just said, However you utilize me, I'm good with it. And so it's been these six girls who have just decided that they were gonna do this for each other and make sure that they got the experience that they wanted to get out of it. And they did it for no other reason other than they wanted to see each other. Do it. Andi. That's what's special about these seniors. Concern, especially, isn't Thio have the first state title for the whole school? Any sport and especially I want to say like maybe other sports hadn't quite had deep playoff runs this kind of the first in both categories, the first title of first playoff run on the kind of pride that does to what's still kind of relatively fewer school mhm I'm hoping what it does is that I hope it. This is the legacy that we wanted to send and and set for this school. And so what I hope that it does is I hope that all the other teams at Eastlake Academy recognize that it's possible, Um, that when you put any work and you are intentional about the work that you're putting in and you set some goals that it doesn't matter where we stood in the past, it doesn't matter whether we've gotten here or not Suitable. Said it intentionally and then do everything that you can move forward. And so I hope that's the legacy that we leave. Any questions from the online folks? If not, ladies. Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you. Read Dr. Oh, show up. Okay. Oh, e As much as the sound of things. Oh, yeah, It Yeah, yeah. Uh huh. We have eyes. Wow. Oh, yeah. A, uh e o Oh, me. Oh, All right. We've got Costa del from, uh, one charter along with a couple of players. Western regional champions. Got some folks online, zoom a couple of person as well. So I'm just asking for a brief opening statement and introduce you to your players. And then we'll take questions. Sure. Well, these are three captains here. Kayla McClinton, Anita Jones on Lauren. Pleasure. Um, we played a really good team today. I mean, a really good team that pushed us to our limits. All season long, we've played hard, and I've always said before and after games that, you know, sometimes the ball just bounces your way, and sometimes it doesn't. And today we just had some of those balls not bounce our way, but taking nothing against East Wake. They played exceptional ball game against us on executed. That really, really, really well, thank you. We'll take questions from the room first, and then we'll go to a church, Uh, for any of the seniors. I think it's the first state title appearance and charters history. I think I think it export how much it was coming right now. How much? How much pride here you guys look back with achievement on Monday? Yeah, I mean, it's definitely like you said, it's hard to think about right now, but the love and support that we got from our community when we were sent here to states because it's so big for all of us. We really felt that and I think that's kind of what happened in the first couple of sets is we felt like how big this waas for our community and it kind of shook us a little bit because we were doing really well in our bubble of Gaston and finally we were 2.5 hours away and feeling the pressure a little bit. But it definitely meant a lot to all of us. I think for our seniors, especially because we've been playing together for seven years, so this was so big for us. We've been trying to get here our whole high school career and I feel like once we finally got here like she said, it took us a little bit. It was kind of intense, but I know we all wanted it so bad. But it's amazing to have even gotten here. It's honestly amazing. I wouldn't trade it for anything, win or lose. It was an amazing experience. E. I know that that I'm proud of every person on the team. We went out there. We never we could but I guess they just they started really tough. There were some good servers, but I guess, like at the end of the day, you can't put them all. And that's just what you gotta learn. We'd like to waited until today. Okay, Coach, Coach testaments to your group that they you know, the two sets of e Think they had a good start first as well. But you guys get back on that Iraq for most of the fourth set. What does that say about your C? Yeah, Well, uh, the intensity that they play with and they're such smart players, all three of these girls right here included, You know, they're going to play on after high school and college and eso We changed up some personnel and we changed up some rotations of where we were in the third set when we came out, and that seemed to work for us. And, uh, you know, at the end of the day, Kalen just said, you know, that number 14 was amazing. Server. I don't know what it was. I think we were up by maybe 10 points on she served us out. Unfortunately, getting one, too. But way tried everything we could, but digging out of a hole like that. It's really hard to do. I've been around this for a long time, and that in a state championship to come back down to, uh is a testament to these girls right here in the rest of the team and the freshman that we have on there, too. Uh, they stopped, you know, they really did. And, uh, what do you think was the biggest office cool you guys were facing? Once he's academy was kind of pulling back. E was kind of the biggest thing you want E se, Definitely her serve. I think we we had the momentum. We had the positivity, We had our swings. Everything was really working until she served and her service? Amazing. Like you said, a million times, it's It's flat, It comes right to your face. It's intense. It's an amazing serve, and that's kind of hard to deal with. But I feel like it was also nerves. I was getting stuff because we knew, like if this was it, if we couldn't do it, this was it. So it's definitely nerves, but our service, see, went a lot into what happened in that last set because, you know, if you can't get a pass, it's kind of over after that. So, like, that's what? The main problem? Waas. Yeah, anything from the zoo, folks, you're muted right now. No questions from Zoom. Then I'll ask the girls each each of you to respond to this question before we let you go. Um, what's the biggest thing that you learn from your four years of participate in high school? But I have answered S Oh, I think I've learned that skill can only take you so far. One of the really special things about this team is that, yeah, we have talented players, but we go to a smaller school, obviously want a and we've been like friends since sixth grade. So we have this bond on and off the court and, like we're talented, were good volleyball players. But we would always have each other's back on the court as well. And I think our connection really helped us throughout all of our seasons, and so skill can only take you so far, But the connections that you make with other people, that's what really carries you through. I agree 100% with what Lauren said. We're really close as a team, like Super Close. We talk about everything way, have sleepovers like we're really close as a team and that really makes a great bond on the court. But I feel like another thing that I've learned is that the hard work that you put on put on off the court will show on the court 100%. Like all of us, we're going to college to play and we've really done the work to do so. We're playing club year round, were training with trainers, were working out. We're doing everything. But the support that we give each other is the only thing that keeps us going, and it's really amazing. And I'm really blessed to have played with these girls for last. However, oh wow, e, think what I really learned the past four years is that you go through a lot. You go through a lot of the person you go through a lot as a team and the support system that you have, like they said, it really helps you. It pushes you to do more because it feels like you're not only doing this for you but you're doing it for others, to the ones who can't go out there and play the ones who are at home, the ones who are cheering on your parents. Everybody is just that. You wanna do more. You always want to give more. And that's what I really wanted that you can always give them or not just for yourself, but for the ones that and last what they just said. A za family, a za first year coach coming in, technically outsiders and didn't know some of these girls when they're in sixth grade. But they just were so welcoming to me. It's a special. Their special group. You got a special group, you have a special year. It's a tough year. But just think about how fortunate we all are to be able to be here today and to be able to play with all that we've all been through. And then you guys have been through this year. So congratulations on the season will play a game. Well played. Have been celebrating with, you know, are we got another one over here. We got a question on Zoom. Go ahead on Joe. Go ahead on mute your mic and ask your questions. Hey, guys, hate ahead in this way. But talking to you earlier this year you all talked about how special this team was, how special the senior group was. But also how much you wanted to lead the freshman as well. What do you all kind of leaving? What kind of blueprint or you're leaving these freshmen with E. I feel like we're leaving the freshman with coming more into themselves, because when we first met our freshmen, they were, like, really shy. They were, like, close with each other. But they started seeing all of us and how open we are and how supporting we are, how we always wanna be in everybody's business with each other. You know, nose down. I feel like we're leaving them with, like, here. You can be open. You can be yourself now because this is your safe space. I'm not gonna lie. The beginning of the season, when the freshman came in, they were so quiet and all the seniors were worried. We're like, Oh, my gosh, like we're the loud ones when we leave, like what is gonna happen? But now, after this game, seeing how they react in times of pressure and stuff. I have no worries about them. I think in the beginning of the season we were all worried because we didn't know how they were gonna be. We never seen them or at least me personally. I haven't seen him. I've never seen them play, so I was worried. But these girls, they're so talented and so skilled and they really wanted. And I feel like we're definitely leaving with them with something to work towards, but they don't have a long way to go. They are amazing players and they tried their best to get to where we are not even skill wise but like mentally volleyball, the very mental game. And I feel like they kind of watch us and kind of bounce off from what we're doing mentally. And I feel like that definitely is something you have to learn early and they're definitely learning it because they're watching us like making what we do, and it's really good to be able to learn those skills. I also think that, like in our practices and in our games when they mess up, were always there to give them a helping him. Like we're always there to be like Okay, just make sure like to round out your bowl or make sure you stay on top of it. Were always there to help them. We always I feel like me. Personally. I want them to be able to do better than what I have. I want them to be able to go further than what I can, and I just wanna help them get there. In the beginning, we were telling them spots that were open to hit two. In these past couple games, the freshmen have been coming up to me. E I don't know. I feel like that is just That's problem. Yeah. So congratulations to East Wake High School for Amazing Season and capping it off. I want to say thank you to Mountain Island Charter. Uh, the principle of the administration. Our athletic director, Matt Stagger, Uh, Joe Hughes, who's followed us over the ghastly gazette Locally, uh, to my family, who puts up with me and these long hours, double tight. Uh, it's just been a great season. And we appreciate all of you and the parents to who support these kids. Unbelievable supports that way. Really feel love and thank you all for that. Correct. Anything else, Guys? Uh huh. It's not for your Thank you. Mhm e not somebody was calling my phone. Just would not something my my a k no.