Batesburg-Leesville’s volleyball team may be young, but that didn’t stop the girls from becoming the first Panthers squad to win a region title in decades. 

This year’s Batesburg-Leesville team is made up of mostly freshmen players, with five. There are also two eighth-graders, one sophomore and two juniors. There is not one senior. 

“We have a very young team, but they’ve been playing with me for a while,” Panthers head coach Eric Shick said. “They’ve caught on to how I want them to play, and they’re clicking more and more every day.” 

The players' experience in the program has been key to their success. Since most of them have been playing since at least seventh grade, Shick had to spend little time setting his system and expectations. 

Instead, the varsity girls could focus on winning games.   

Batesburg-Leesville started the season rolling off six straight wins. By the time the team reached region games, the Panthers were 10-3 and already well tested. 

“I tried to put us against some of the best teams I can get to play us, 4A and 5A schools, just to get them ready for playoffs,” Shick said. 

The Panthers earned non-region wins over Saluda, Dutch Fork, Airport, Northside Christian and Spring Valley.   

Playing those bigger teams gave the Panthers confidence to go in and dominate the region. Batesburg-Leesville was a perfect 8-0 in conference games and lost just one set throughout. 

The team hopes this string of success carries into the playoffs. 

“Last year we went to the third round in 2A, and our goal is to go a little farther this year,” Shick said. “I would love to be there in the end, but there’s still some good teams that are still out there.” 

To match the skill of some of the team and older teams in the playoffs, the Panthers will lean on their key players who have carried the team this far.   

Kate Shealy is one of the two juniors and an outside hitter for the Panthers. She is the main offensive focal point, leading the Panthers in kills, aces and attacking opportunities. 

Opposite Shealy is freshman Carley Soper. Eight-grader Allie Ackerman plays middle, and freshman Genevieve Potts plays libero. 

Molly Price is the starting setter, generating the attacking opportunities for Shealy and others. The freshman is in her third varsity season and recently crossed the 1,000 career assists mark. 

As the year progressed, Shick said he could notice the group getting better and playing more fluidly. Now, it’s time to bring it all together for the playoffs. 

“They’re having more fun than they ever had,” he said. “They’ve gelled more as a team than any in the past, which is important.”

Batesburg-Leeville earned a first-round bye in the SCHSL A-Division I playoffs. The team will begin its postseason run next Monday against the ​​Palmetto Scholars Academy.