The Palmetto Strikers 13U team made it to the final round at the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) National Championships in Orlando, Florida in June. The PSVC team made up of 10 of the Lowcountry’s top players aged 12 and 13 years old, beat teams from all around the United States, including Atlanta, Charlotte and Miami.
Led by Coach Jamaica Parker, the PSVC 13U team went 10-2 throughout the four-day tournament, and ended their season with a 59-7 record. The girls claimed victory in seven out of 10 tournaments they participated in.
“In my 20 years of coaching, I've never had a team just fight and never give up,” Parker said. “It's the mentality that they have just to go up there. They don't get shaken. They're kind of cool, calm and collected.”
The runner-up spot marks the first time in the history of the Mount Pleasant-based volleyball club has placed in the top two at the AAU championship.
“They've worked very, very hard and they have such a great coach that believed in them and push them and got them to where they were to be able to produce those results at that high level,” said Heather Chadwick, whose daughter plays on the team.
Two players also received special distinctions. Payton Moorman and Gabby Kakalev were named All-American players for their gameplay in the tournament. Moorman, who is the youngest player on the team at 12 years old, contributed the most points for the team at the championships. Kakalev was recognized for her team leadership during the matches.
“I always say we win as a team and we lose as a team… but these two girls truly deserved [the awards],” Parker said.
The Palmetto Strikers Volleyball Club 13U team will be recognized for their accomplishments by the Town of Mount Pleasant on Aug. 8 at the next Town Council meeting.
Club volleyball begins in November and Parker said her teams hold two-hour practices three times a week. Teams compete in about ten tournaments from January to June. Parker said the team’s grit, determination and spirit were major factors in the team’s success this season.
“They took everything that we have worked on throughout the season, and they put it together and literally left everything on the court as I asked them to do,” Parker said.
