Northside Hands Hawthorne a Senior Night Sweep

By Caroline King, Camden Nolde and Olivia Velardo

HAWTHORNE — The Northside Christian Academy Eagles swept the Hawthorne High School Hornets 3-0 Tuesday night on the Hornets senior night.

The Hornets dropped to 4-9, while the Eagles improved to 15-2, 10-0 in district volleyball play.

Eagles Domination

The first set started off back and forth with the Eagles and Hornets matching point for point led by the aggressive play of Hornets outside Maddie Gillins.

The teams reached a tie early in the set, 5-5.

However, the Eagles gained momentum by ending the set on a 5-0 run for a 25-19 win.

The beginning of the second set was all Eagles by coming out strong with a 7-0 start led by multiple kills from freshman Brooklyn Cooper.

The Eagles did not lose control and dominated the Hornets for a 25-13 set two win.

Set three was all Eagles again, dominating from the beginning.

Senior middle Ashlynn Coleman managed to bring back some momentum for the Hornets with three straight kills to put them within nine points of the Eagles.

The Eagles took control of the rest of the set to win it 25-13.

That’s the game! End of set 3!
Northside takes the win.
Final score of set 3: 25-13 #highschoolvolleyball @ESPNGainesville pic.twitter.com/oDdRdrbqgf

— Olivia Velardo (@OliviaVelardo) October 10, 2023

Senior Night Ceremony

The Hornets celebrated three seniors: Ashlynn Coleman, Synteria Williams and Chloe Feagle.

Feagle brought energy with two straight aces in set two to put the Hornets in a position to compete.

Feagle is a dual sport athlete, also playing softball for Hawthorne.

When speaking with Feagle, a fan approached and explained that Feagle,

“Is a quiet but encouraging presence. She is a leader on the softball field and volleyball court, and she also competitively shows animals. She does it all.”

Senior Spotlight

Coleman’s teammates pointed her way when asked who is a team leader.

The Hornets middle hitter brought energy and encouragement to her team and the crowd with three straight kills in set three.

Whenever Coleman would hit, a cheer would erupt from the crowd.

Coleman felt the love on this memorable night.

“It felt amazing,” she said. “One of those memories I want to remember when I grow up and look back on it and say that on my senior night, I had a good game.”

Coleman said it means a lot being a team leader.

“When you’re a leader, you’re basically being a role model, when you’re leading you want to make sure that everyone is in the right positions, you want to lead so you make sure they’re doing the right thing, it plays a big part of the team.”

Up Next

Hawthorne takes on Wildwood away on Thursday night at 6:30 p.m.

Northside Christian Academy competes at home against Gainesville Christian Community on Thursday at 5:30 PM.