The Johns Creek High School volleyball team continued its strong start to the season
Thursday, August 20, traveling to St. Francis High School for a tri-match against St. Francis
and Holy Innocents. The Gladiators faced two talented opponents and battled through two
competitive matches to come away with two hard-fought victories.
Johns Creek opened the day against Holy Innocents in a thrilling three-set battle, winning
15–25, 28–26, and 15–9. The match tested the Gladiators’ athleticism, mental toughness,
and ability to remain composed under pressure.
Holy Innocents came out with confidence and quickly established control in the opening
set. Coach Scott reflected on the team's start, saying, “Holy Innocents is a talented, high
IQ team, and I think the intensity of that realization took the girls by surprise. Everything on
the court felt panicked, and that caused us to forget to be disciplined about our basics and
keep our play simple.”
For the first time this season, Johns Creek found itself on the wrong side of the opening set.
Rather than shy away from the challenge, however, the Gladiators responded by raising
their level of play. Point by point, they fought their way back into the match, refusing to
surrender momentum. The second set became a battle from start to finish, with both
teams trading points and neither willing to give ground. Johns Creek ultimately prevailed,
28–26, in a hard-earned set that showcased the team's resilience and determination.
The energy of that second-set battle carried directly into the third. With their confidence
restored, the Gladiators played with greater composure and conviction, turning the
intensity of the previous set into a renewed belief in their ability to control the court. Johns
Creek closed out the match, 15–9, completing the comeback and securing a memorable
three-set victory.
The Gladiators were led offensively by Hana Catic with 14 kills, followed by Sara Buoni with
10. Buoni also recorded a team-high three aces. Emily Giles directed the offense with 16
assists, while Sanjana Mukkamala added nine assists. Caroline Giles led the team in serve
receive with a 2.20 rating and contributed eight digs. Catic recorded nine digs, while Evie
Sinotte added six.
The victory was more than just another win on the schedule. After facing adversity early,
Johns Creek demonstrated the ability to settle in, trust its fundamentals, and compete
point by point against a highly skilled opponent.
Immediately following their hard-fought victory over Holy Innocents, the Gladiators
returned to the court to face St. Francis. Riding the momentum of their first win, Johns
Creek opened the match with confidence and composure, taking the first set 25–15.
The energy from the Holy Innocents victory was evident from the opening point. Johns
Creek looked controlled, confident, and relaxed, executing with the same intensity that had
carried them through the final two sets of their first match. As the match progressed,
however, that confidence began to turn into physical and mental fatigue. After battling
through an emotionally and physically demanding match against Holy Innocents, the
Gladiators found themselves facing the effects of the quick turnaround.
St. Francis was quick to recognize the opening and capitalize on it. Johns Creek struggled
to maintain the same level of focus and execution, allowing St. Francis to take control of
the second set, 25–14. Once again, the Gladiators found themselves needing to dig deep
and respond.
The third set began in particularly difficult fashion. St. Francis jumped out to an early 7-
point advantage, leading 9–2 and putting the Gladiators in a position they had not faced all
day. But, rather than allowing the deficit to dictate the outcome, something shifted. The
determination, skill, scrappiness, and energy that had defined Johns Creek throughout the
day came together at exactly the right moment.
Point by point, the Gladiators chipped away at the lead. The team fought for every ball,
executed under pressure, and refused to let the match slip away. What began as a
worrisome third set transformed into one of the most impressive stretches of the day.
Johns Creek rallied to take the set 15–13, completing the comeback and securing its
second victory of the day.
Caroline Giles led the team from the service line with five aces and added five kills. Hana
Catic posted a 2.19 serve-receive rating and contributed five kills, while Sara Buoni led the
team offensively with six kills. Emerson Jarboe recorded three total blocks. Emily Giles
paced the offense with 11 assists, followed by Sanjana Mukkamala with nine. Evie Sinotte
anchored the defense with an impressive 10 digs, while Catic added seven.
The victory capped a demanding and rewarding day for the Gladiators. Johns Creek faced
adversity in both matches, but each challenge provided an opportunity to respond, adjust,
and compete. Finishing the day with two wins against two talented opponents was a
testament to the team's resilience, depth, and willingness to fight for every point—even
when the odds were not in their favor.
