For the third year in a row, the Orange volleyball team has reached the quarterfinals of the state tournament. On Thursday night, the Lady Panthers defeated Southern Nash 3-1 in Bailey. It is the 12th state playoff win for the current Orange senior class, which includes Katie Silcott, Aubrey Jordan, Ava Wilkerson, Addison Guentensberger, Mariah Poole, Milleka Purcell and Gianna Negron. On Tuesday night, the Orange seniors played their final home game to open the state playoffs, a sweep of Southeast Alamance. It’s been a special home court for Orange, where they won the 2023 3A Eastern Regional championship. They went undefeated against the Central Conference in the 2023 regular season. Last year, they defeated Swansboro, South Central and Cedar Ridge in the state playoffs. Over the last three years, Orange has gone 32-11 at home. They’ve been among the most successful classes in Orange volleyball history. Jordan will play at Gardner-Webb University, while Wilkerson will enrolled at the University of Houston at the beginning of 2026. Silcott will play at Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida and will also enroll early. Guentensberger will prepare for softball season this spring, where Orange will look to reach the top of the new Big 7 Conference. Orange will face Person in the 5A State Quarterfinals tonight in Roxboro.
