The Pike Liberal Arts junior varsity volleyball team has accepted an invitation to participate in the 2016 AISA Junior Varsity state volleyball tournament.

With two matches remaining in the regular season, the Patriots hold an overall record of 7-4. The Patriots will be one of nine teams to participate in the one-day double-elimination tournament.

“There are only nine of us in there,” said head coach Jacqui Wynn. “It’s exciting to know that you are part of that top nine group.”

In Wynn’s first year at helm as both head coach of the junior varsity and varsity squads, she has noticed the amount of hard work and determination her players bring every day.

“They put in the work,” Wynn said. “They work hard and they got what they wanted out of it which is exciting for them. They put their mind to it and said that nobody was going to take it away from them.”

The hard work and determination put forth by the Patriots began in the summer.

“They have grown by leaps and bounds,” Wynn said. “From our first workouts until our work out last week, it has just been amazing to see the transformation from the beginning of the year when they could maybe pass two balls to now being able to take a hit from certain college kids.”

The Patriots will be joined at the tournament by Coosa Valley Academy, Northside Methodist Academy, Clarke Prep School, John T. Morgan Academy, Macon East Academy, Lee-Scott Academy, Glenwood School and Tuscaloosa Academy.

With two remaining matches on the schedule before the Patriots make the trip to Glenwood, Wynn knows there are still some areas of the game that need improving.

“I need them work on staying up and not do the rollercoaster up and down ride,” Wynn said. “As long as we are peaking at the right time, than that is the best part of the game.”

Members of the 2016 Pike JV Volleyball team are Grace Rushing, Alyssa Terry, Dannah Kate Dawson, Morgan Bundy, Ella Baker, Ally Rushing, Mary Ramage, Anna Jordan, Bayli Eaton and Sarah Elizabeth Calhoun.

The state tournament will begin October 8 at the Glenwood School. Match times have not been announced.