This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is senior volleyball setter Sawyer White. Last week, White surpassed 1,000 career assists in Orange’s match against Carrboro. She has committed to play at Troy University in Alabama out of the Sun Belt Conference. White was called up to the varsity late in Orange’s 2023 season. While there were difficult moments, White found a permanent place in the starting lineup as the Lady Panthers defeated Carrboro to win the 3A Eastern Regional championship. White had five blocks and 18 digs in the win over the Jaguars. In the 3A State Championship match against Kings Mountain, White had five blocks and 13 digs. For her career, White has 425 kills. Last season, she had a career-high 183. In her time at Orange, White has won two conference championships and a regional title. As a senior, she finds herself in a setting role for young freshman outside hitters Kynlee Albert and Avery O’Quinn. In the season opener, she had 41 assists against D.H. Conley. Against Falls Lake Academy, she finished with 39. On Tuesday, White finished with 36 in a win at South Granville. She has three double-doubles this season. After she graduates in June, Sawyer will go down as one of the most versatile Orange volleyball players in school history.
