All good things must come to an end, and the North Hall volleyball team found that out firsthand Saturday in Columbus.

After reaching the Class AAA quarterfinals for the first time in program history, the Lady Trojans were eliminated from the postseason after a 3-0 loss to Columbus.

“They’re a solid team,” North Hall coach Emi Hughes said. “We made them earn it, and I’m proud of the way our girls played a team of that quality.”

The Lady Trojans, who lost 25-16, 25-20, 25-14, were led by Megan Cox’s 13 digs and Kathryn Bell, who had eight assists and two kills.

Lauren Gregory had two kills and four digs, Tess Patton had two blocks and one kill, McKenna Rushton had five kills and two blocks and Sara Paschal had seven digs, one block and one assist for the Lady Trojans (28-14).

Despite the loss, Hughes is pleased with the direction the program is headed.

“I have four starters coming back, and with success makes other girls want to play,” Hughes said, referring to McKenna Rushton, her sister Mary Kate, Paschal and Madison Copeland. “We’re headed in the right direction.”
Hughes hopes that this year’s success will also fuel the ambitions of next year’s squad.

“Once you get there, you realize why you want to get to the next level,” she said.