School honors Aiken High volleyball team

When the Aiken High School volleyball team members captured the AAAA state title last month, St. Mary Help of Christians School cheered right along with them.

They had good reason. Nine of the team's 14 players attended St. Mary and got their first volleyball experiences there.

St. Mary hosted a reception for the players and their parents this week at the gym where most of the girls used to play.

The church priest, Father James LeBlanc, presented all the players with T-shirts with their names on them.

Peggy Wertz, the St. Mary principal, got to know the girls and watch them grow as athletes and young teenagers.

"Many of the girls still have siblings who are here," Wertz said. "We feel we know the other girls on the team too. We are so proud of them."

The former St. Mary players are McKenna Dyer, Jessica Ray, Katie Lane Frei, Olivia Teelon, Emily Teelon, Jenni Law, Meredith Clemmons, Monica Cardona and Anna Tovo. Other AHS team members are Natasha Dicks, Rylee Herrman, Jennie Gray, Allyson Hulse and Tyler Smith.

Aiken High coach Malynda Young credited St. Mary coach Laurie Ulmer with providing a foundation for the players.

"She gets them out here when they're young," Young said. "That's important because it's a difficult game to pick up in later years. It was a neat experience all year long. We saw so much potential, and all the cards fell in. It's nice that St. Mary is recognizing these girls."

Ulmer attended many of their matches and the state title game, screaming with joy with the parents, family members and other supporters.

"I got most of them in sixth grade," Ulmer said. "So many come to volleyball, and we just have fun and have a good time. I followed the whole season, and just to have that kind of connection is great. You couldn't have kept me away from the final game."

Olivia Teelon recalled a time in middle school when just getting the ball over the net was a huge victory.

"But things got better," she said with a smile. "Mrs. Ulmer taught us everything about volleyball."

Kristin Dyer, McKenna's mom, said her daughter learned the basics of volleyball, propelling her to a high school career.

"I knew these girls were special," Dyer said. "They've been friends since second grade and were always an athletic group. Now they're a team of friends. All the parents were friends, too, and it's extra special to enjoy this with your best friends."

Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.