When Sawyer White was called up to the Orange varsity volleyball team in her freshman year, it came during a time of prosperity.
In 2023, the Lady Panthers were on its way to the Central Conference championship in dominant fashion. White was a freshman stepping onto the court with outside hitter Ella Wimsatt, libero Sadye Porter, sophomore outside hitter Aubrey Jordan sophomore middle blocker Ava Wilkerson. There were growing pains after Orange lost to Cedar Ridge in the Central Conference Tournament championship match, but White’s ability was apparent from the very beginning. White recorded five blocks and 18 digs as Orange defeated Carrboro to win the 3A Eastern Regional championship in an electric night inside Orange Gymnasium.
On Thursday night, White found herself on the other end of the cycle she started in 2023. She was honored on senior night as Orange swept South Granville. Now, White is the senior providing leadership for freshmen outside hitters like Kynlee Albert and Avery O’Quinn.
White, Kaleeya Fearrington, Daphne Tyll, Rachel Durham, Violet Tyll, Sage Musser and Emerson Armitage all were honored and received a standing ovation as the third set wound down from the Orange faithful.
Orange, which has won three in a row, improved to 9-7 overall, 5-3 in the Big 7 Conference.
In the final set, O’Quinn finished with six kills. White, who has switched to a setter’s role this season, had ten assists in the final frame. Daphne Tyll finished with six digs in the four set. Durham had three straight aces to put the Panthers ahead 20-11.
Orange closed the match on a 10-3 run to complete the sweep. White got her final kill off a pass from Daphne Tyll just before leaving.
Orange won on scores of 28-26, 25-14, 25-14.
The Lady Panthers will return to action against Durham School of the Arts at Sykes Gymnasium on Tuesday.
