Pope defeated South Effingham 25-16, 27-25, 25-15 on Saturday, Oct. 24, advancing to the GHSA Class 6A volleyball semifinals.
The Greyhounds will face Woodward Academy on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 5 p.m. at LakePoint Sports Champions Center in Cartersville. The winner advances to the state championship match Thursday, Oct. 29, at 6 p.m., according to the GHSA schedule.
Pope played the quarterfinal without junior libero Wynnie Abney, with Vivian Suels stepping into the role, the Marietta Daily Journal reported.
After winning the opening set by nine points, Pope faced its closest challenge in the second. South Effingham built a 23-20 lead before the Greyhounds rallied to win 27-25. Pope then completed the sweep with a 25-15 third set.
Emmy Chadwick led Pope with 11 kills, while Julianne Kopach recorded five total blocks, according to the MaxPreps box score.
MaxPreps lists Pope at 34-9 entering the semifinal and Woodward at 26-7. The Greyhounds hold the platform’s No. 1 ranking in Class 6A and No. 4 ranking statewide.
Senior captain Lynden Harvey brings championship experience to Pope’s postseason run. She was part of the Greyhounds’ 2024 state title team and earned first-team all-region recognition in 2025, according to an Oct. 8 Cobb County School District profile.
The semifinal will give Pope a chance to return to the championship match, with two wins separating the Greyhounds from another state title.
