On Tuesday, September 1, the Johns Creek High School volleyball team stepped onto the court against rival Milton High School with plenty on the line. After dropping a tightly contested opening set, the Gladiators responded by winning three straight to defeat Milton 3-1, 23-25, 25-19, 25-20, and 25-19. The victory moved Johns Creek to 3-0 in region play and gave the Gladiators an important win over their biggest rival.
The match carried added significance for both the program and the Johns Creek community. Milton has long been Johns Creek's primary rival, and this year's matchup brought another layer to the rivalry with former Johns Creek head volleyball coach Ally Hall now leading the Milton program. The Gladiators had been looking forward to this matchup since the beginning of the season, and the intensity surrounding the night was evident from the opening serve.
Johns Creek and Milton battled throughout the first set, with Milton narrowly taking the frame 25-23. The Gladiators quickly regrouped, however, and came out strong in the second set, earning a 25-19 victory. Johns Creek carried that momentum into the third set, winning 25-20, before closing out the match with another 25-19 win in the fourth.
“This was the best volleyball that I have seen these girls play,” said Coach Scott. “They came into the gym amped and ready to go with a sense of grit and determination and focus that was really impressive to witness.”
After the first-set loss, Johns Creek showed its ability to stay composed and make adjustments. The Gladiators continued to communicate and execute as the match progressed, turning a one-set deficit into a convincing four-set victory.
Sara Buoni led the Johns Creek offense with 22 kills and four aces, while Hana Catic added 13 kills. Buoni and Emerson Jarboe each recorded four total blocks to lead the Gladiators at the net.
Defensively, Catic and Caroline Giles each finished with 16 digs, while Jia Kim contributed eight. Kim also helped orchestrate the offense with an impressive 44 assists.
For Johns Creek, the victory was about more than adding another win to the region record. It was an opportunity to see how the team would respond in one of the most anticipated matches of the season. After falling short in the opening set, the Gladiators found their rhythm and played some of their most consistent volleyball of the season.
The performance reflected the growth the team has been working toward throughout the early part of the season—staying composed under pressure, trusting teammates, and continuing to compete even when the momentum shifts.
With the win, Johns Creek improves to 3-0 in region play and carries valuable momentum into the next portion of the season. The Gladiators will look to build on Tuesday night's performance
as they continue working toward their goals both within the region and as a team.
