-Information courtesy Frank Wiggins, Headmaster, Kerr Vance Academy

The Kerr-Vance Lady Spartans defended their state title on Saturday, May 19 coming away with a 2-0 victory against Statesville Christian School.  The match was played in off and on rain, but the team controlled the ball the entire match.

Nicole Dunkley got the Spartans on the board early in the opening minutes taking a corner kick from Ashley Dickerson and driving it in past the Statesville goalie.  The score remained 1-0 until Dickerson netted a penalty kick after a handball call in the second half.  From there, the offense and defense buckled down with solid ball control and timely plays to pick up the win.  It has been a special season for the team due to the way they handled heightened expectations and strong senior leadership.

The Kerr-Vance Lady Spartans celebrate their back-to-back State Championship win. (Photo courtesy KVA)

Varsity baseball had to wait out numerous weather delays and postponements to finally get to a pressurized, one game, winner-take-all matchup against Wayne Country Day.  The original format was best of three.

The Spartans were up to the challenge with Cam Murphy pitching a complete game, giving up only 2 runs in seven innings.  Senior Wil Short, in his last game as a Spartan, went 2 for 3, two walks, 3 RBIs.  Kerr-Vance was also led by RJ Johnson’s two RBI’s.  Lane White and Shane Garrett each plated runs for the Spartans.  The final was a 9-2 victory and a back-to-back championship.

Thoughts from KVA Headmaster Frank Wiggins:

As I think about what has been significant in the back to back title runs, no doubt that senior leadership has been huge for both teams.  This year’s soccer team was led by Bonnie Evans, Caroline Hoyle, Riley Short, Holly Steg, and Nicole Dunkley.  Nicole finished as the all-time leading scorer for the Spartans in soccer.  The stingy defense was led by Stegg, Hoyle, and Evans.  Short was very instrumental in controlling the midfield.  Similarly, in baseball, Wil Short’s presence for a relatively young team was a big factor in winning the title.  Wil has a way of taking young players under his wing and keeping them focused.  He also was the team’s catcher and huge offensive presence in the lineup.

By my unofficial count, this is the 11^th state title for Kerr-Vance.  Men’s soccer, Women’s Soccer (4), Baseball (4), Men’s Basketball, and Men’s Golf have all one state championships.

The Kerr-Vance Varsity Baseball Team celebrates their back-to-back State Championship win. (Photo courtesy KVA)

From the principal’s chair, it has been incredible to watch both teams perform at such high levels this year.  We are blessed to have this group of gifted student/athletes at Kerr-Vance.  They are even better people!  I am proud of the way that they have represented our school and the journey that has brought something very unique to our school.  I think I am most proud that they worked as a team to accomplish those lofty goals.  It took all of the parts working together to be back to back champs.  That is something they will take with them when they leave here – knowing that we did this together!

I think this certainly helps our school.  It creates a sense of pride, not just in our athletic programs but our school as a whole.  The KVA community really got behind both teams and shared in their accomplishments.  I think athletics are a huge aspect of our school’s brand and can help us attract students when they see the success we have had.  That coupled with the opportunity to get an incredible education are big drawing cards for KVA.   It has been my experience that when students are involved in athletics, band, the arts, and other activities they are more likely to experience higher levels of academic success as well.  They become more well-rounded people.  It works hand in hand.