SOUTH MISS 6 SPORTS

Prep Volleyball: OLA secures yet another state title 3-1 over Kossuth

A female volleyball player in a black uniform with the number 23 serves the ball while another player stands nearby. The background shows a gymnasium with a basketball hoop and spectators.
OLA’s Krissi Pavolini returns a shot vs. Kossuth Friday. (Photo by Joe Harper)

By Curtis Rockwell/Sports Director

CLINTON — It made no difference to perennial state volleyball power OLA that their opponents in the Class 3A state championship match had never played in the final round of the playoffs before.

After all, the Crescents were coming in to Friday mornings meeting with the most state titles in Mississippi history.

It also didn’t matter to OLA that Kossuth possessed the reigning Class 3A “Miss Volleyball” in the state, because the Crescents were aiming for their fifth straight state title and 19th overall.

A female volleyball player in a black jersey prepares to serve the ball, with her arm raised and eyes focused upward.
OLA’s Taylor Henley sets up her serve vs. Kossuth Friday. (Photo by Joe Harper)
A volleyball player jumping to set the ball at the net during a game, with spectators in the background.
OLA’s Krissi Pavolini defends at the net along with Leah Laporte vs. Kossuth Friday. (Photo by Joe Harper)
A volleyball player jumps to serve while teammates prepare for the play, with spectators visible in the background.
OLA’s Krissi Pavolini returns a shot vs. Kossuth Friday. (Photo by Joe Harper)
A volleyball player prepares to receive a serve during a match, showcasing focused concentration and an athletic stance.
OLA liber Mackenzie Knobloch sends a shot back vs. Kossuth Friday. (Photo by Joe Harper)

No, none of that mattered at all to the players from Hancock County.

OLA rolled over the Lady Aggies 3-1 (25-21, 20-25, 25-18, 25-8) to secure yet another Gold Ball for the trophy case in Bay St. Louis. The Crescents finish the season at 31-10 overall after the decisive win here at A.E. Wood Coliseum on the campus of Mississippi College, while Kossuth finishes at 30-5 after their first-ever trip to the state finals.

“This year’s team was very special,” veteran OLA head coach Mike Meyers said. OLA started the season off at 2-5 after losing versatile, multi-sport standout Taylor Henley to injury. “It’s probably one of the most rewarding and fulfilling seasons we’ve ever had.”

A volleyball player with the number 23 on her jersey prepares to set the ball during a match in a gymnasium.
OLA’s Krissi Pavolini sets up a shot vs. Kossuth Friday. (Photo by Joe Harper)
A volleyball player in a black jersey jumps to hit the ball over the net during a match, with spectators watching in the background.
OLA’s Taylor Henley goes up for a kill vs. Kossuth Friday. (Photo by Joe Harper)
A group of female volleyball players celebrating a point, with their arms raised in excitement. They are in sports uniforms, with some wearing knee pads and pink shoes, on a wooden gym floor.
OLA players react after a key point vs. Kossuth Friday. (Photo by Joe Harper)
A competitive volleyball match in action, featuring two players at the net. One player in a maroon jersey attempts to block a jump shot from the opposing player wearing a black jersey with 'CRESLEN' written on it. In the background, other players from both teams are observing the play.
OLA’s Kaylin Kinniburgh sends a shot back at the net vs. Kossuth Friday. (Photo by Joe Harper)

The Crescents never dropped a single set in the postseason until Friday, sweeping Magee, Union, Seminary and Presbyterian en route to the state championship.

OLA’s Kaylin Kinniburgh recorded not only the winning point in the all-important set three that put her team ahead 2-1, but she also registered the final match point with a kill to secure the state title.

A volleyball player in a black jersey preparing to set the ball during a match, with spectators in the background.
OLA’s Krissi Pavolini sets up a shot vs. Kossuth Friday. (Photo by Joe Harper)
A volleyball player in mid-air preparing to set the ball during a game, wearing a black jersey with the number 23. Two other teammates are in the background, engaged in play.
OLA’s Krissi Pavolini sets up a shot vs. Kossuth Friday. (Photo by Joe Harper)
A female volleyball player in a black uniform prepares to set the ball during a match, with spectators in the background.
OLA’s Kaylin Kinniburgh sets up a shot vs. Kossuth Friday. (Photo by Joe Harper)

Henley, who returned to action around mid-season, paced OLA with an impressive 20 kills, five blocks and 10 digs. Krissi Pavolini had seven kills and 20 assists, and Kinniburgh added six kills and 18 assists as well.

Mackenzie Knobloch had three service aces, and Madeline Piazza registered 20 digs while Lola Haas had 10 digs also,

Pavolini was named the Most Valuable Player of the match.

A group of female volleyball players celebrating with a trophy in a gymnasium, with spectators in the background.
OLA players celebrate the state championship after beating Kossuth Friday. (Photo by Joe Harper)
A volleyball team celebrating their victory as state champions, holding a banner that reads 'Class 3A Volleyball 2026 State Champions', surrounded by their coaches and wearing medals.
OLA shows off its most recent state titled banner after beating Kossuth Friday. (Photo by Joe Harper)
SouthMiss6 Avatar

Published by

SouthMiss6
Categories:

Leave a Reply

Discover more from SOUTH MISS 6 SPORTS

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading