BY MILES LAYTON

EDENTON — The John A. Holmes High School volleyball team has spent the season proving it belongs among North Carolina’s best. Now, the Aces (25-3) will get the chance to show just how far they’ve come when they travel to Winfall on Tuesday night to face Perquimans High School (27-3) in the fifth round of the NCHSAA 2A State Volleyball Tournament.

This game is the Regional Final which is the final four of the state — 2 from the East and 2 from the West. Winner of this game will travel to Raleigh to play in the state championship game at 11 a.m. Saturday at Reynolds Coliseum at NC State.

It’s a matchup steeped in both rivalry and respect — a battle between two powerhouse programs separated by a short drive and a long history of competition. The Pirates, last season’s 2A state runner-up, are once again one of the top teams in the East, but the Aces are bringing momentum, chemistry, and quiet confidence into the biggest game of their year.

“Our focus is on being present — playing one point at a time and giving our best effort in every moment,” said Aces head coach Courtney Smith.

That mindset — “being where our feet are,” as Smith calls it — has been the team’s mantra throughout a season defined by resilience and balance.

A Balanced and Battle-Tested Team

The Aces enter Tuesday’s contest after an impressive run through the Albemarle Athletic Conference, where they finished 8-2 and earned key wins over top opponents like Camden County. In their most recent match, Holmes outlasted Camden in five sets — 25-22,8-25,25-14,16-25 and 13-15 — a gritty, hard-fought victory that showcased both their depth and determination.

“We have a balanced offense,” Smith said. “Multiple hitters can be productive, and that’s led by a skilled senior setter with a high volleyball IQ who keeps us in rhythm.”

That setter is senior Harper Evans, the team’s on-court general who runs the Aces’ offense with precision and poise. Against Camden, Evans was offensive and as a 5-1 setter was able to attack. She earned seven kills and recorded 30 assists, constantly feeding her hitters in stride and keeping opposing blockers guessing.

Evans’s leadership has been instrumental in making the Aces’ attack one of the most unpredictable in the conference. Six players regularly contribute on offense, including Kammoni Mathews and Sarah Logan Cobb, who led with 11 kills each in the Camden win. Mariah Miller added 8 kills and 9 service aces, while Ava Bunch had 5 kills and Brystol Belch chipped in 7 kills.

Defensively, Holmes has been just as sharp. Cobb anchored the back row with 14 digs, while Bunch and Miller added 9 each. Libero Gabi Provencher, another senior, has been a steadying force throughout the season, keeping rallies alive with diving saves and consistent passing.

“Every Position Matters”

With a smaller roster than many of their opponents, Smith said the Aces rely on total effort from every player.

“With a small roster, we rely on every player to give 100 percent every match,” she said. “Every position matters, and it’s our collective energy and commitment that make the difference. One of the things I love most about volleyball is that success truly requires a full team effort — everyone plays a part in making it happen.”

That sense of togetherness has been especially important in the wake of adversity. Senior Hailey Roberson, a key player in the Aces’ front line, suffered a season-ending injury during the conference tournament. But rather than stepping away, she has become one of the team’s most vocal supporters.

“Hailey’s still making an impact on our team’s success through the inspiration, support, and encouragement she gives from the sidelines,” Smith said. “She’s a big part of who we are.”

Built on Grit and Chemistry

When asked what fuels her team’s success, Smith pointed to something less tangible than stats or rankings.

“This group has a relentless grit and drive to play for each other,” she said. “They’ve overcome adversity, stayed composed in big moments, and continue to push forward no matter the challenge. With six seniors who’ve grown up together, their chemistry is special, and the experience many of them have from years of club volleyball shows in their ability to perform under pressure.”

That veteran presence has been key all season long. Evans, Miller, Mathews, Bunch, Provencher, and Roberson have provided leadership that extends beyond the court — in practice, in the locker room, and in how the team handles adversity.

Smith acknowledged Cobb, a sophomore, as being one of the major contributors to the Aces’s success.

“That veteran presence has been key all season long,” Smith said. “Evans, Miller, Mathews, Bunch, Provencher, and Roberson have provided leadership that extends beyond the court — in practice, in the locker room, and in how the team handles adversity.”

The Challenge Ahead

They’ll need every bit of that strength against Perquimans, a team known for its speed, size, and championship pedigree. The Pirates, 27-3, are coming off another dominant regular season and will be eager to defend their home court.

Smith isn’t downplaying the challenge. “Perquimans is a very good team — disciplined, athletic, and well-coached,” she said. “But our focus isn’t on who’s on the other side of the net. It’s on controlling what we can control and playing our brand of volleyball.”

That “brand” — built around consistency, communication, and calm under pressure — has carried the Aces through countless tight sets this year. Their ability to close out matches, even when momentum swings, is one of their defining traits.

“We’ve learned to trust each other when things get tense,” Smith said. “That’s what wins close games.”

A Legacy Season

Regardless of Tuesday’s outcome, the 2025 season will be remembered as one of the most successful in Holmes volleyball history. A 25-3 record, a second-place finish in the conference, and a berth in the state tournament are the product of months — and years — of dedication.

For the seniors, it’s the culmination of a journey that began in middle school gyms and summer leagues across northeastern North Carolina.

The Aces’ balance — six offensive contributors, a fearless defense, and a setter who sees the whole court — gives them a chance to compete with anyone. Their chemistry gives them belief.

And belief, Smith said, is the difference between good teams and great ones.

“When you play for each other, amazing things happen,” she said. “That’s what this group has done all season long. We’re just excited for the opportunity to keep it going.”

When the Aces step onto the court Tuesday night under the bright lights of Perquimans’ gym, they’ll do so not just as a team chasing a win, but as a family representing a small school that’s made a big mark on the state volleyball map.

For Smith, Evans, and the rest of the Holmes Aces, that’s reason enough to believe.