From the time she started as a freshman deep in the 2024 Orange volleyball’s team run to the 3A Eastern Regional championship, Sawyer White has been a versatile presence.
Now as a senior, White plays alongside two freshmen outside hitters in Avery O’Quinn and Kynlee Albert. White, who was second on the team with 183 kills in 2025, has now been readjusted to a setter role under new head coach Mary Alice Pike.
The results speak for themselves. Orange is 3-2, but its two losses have come against the defending 1A State Champions and the defending 7A Eastern Regional champions, both in five sets.
On Monday night, White had six kills, 27 assists, six aces and five digs as the Lady Panthers cruised past Riverside 3-0 on scores of 25-5, 25-14 and 25-16 at Chambers Court in Durham.
It was Orange’s most decisive win to start a difficult week. On Wednesday, the Lady Panthers will host Grimsley, a 7A team that’s currently 7-1. On Thursday, the Lady Panthers will host Carrboro in its Big 7 Conference opener.
With no air conditioning and fans blowing hot air at the entrance, Orange never trailed in the match. Senior Rachel Durham delivered an ace as Orange started the match with seven consecutive points. In the opening set, White had three kills, three aces, eight assists and two digs. Freshman Kynlee Albert, who led Orange with eight kills, ended the opening set with an ace.
Orange finished with 17 aces overall.
Lady Panthers freshman Kaleeya Fearrington had a kill followed by consecutive aces as Orange built a 17-9 lead in the second set. Riverside’s Piper Welch delivered an early kill to even the set at 1-1, which was the only tie of the entire match. Avery O’Quinn delivered a kill for the 24th point before White served up an ace to put Orange ahead by two sets.
Sophomore Halle Curtis led the Pirates with six kills.
Orange charged out to a 7-2 lead in the third set, which started with an ace from Molly Kate Ollis. Abigail Pfeiffenberger started the frame with a kill, followed by another from O’Quinn. With Orange leading 10-4, White dove on the floor to preserve a loose ball on a point that ended with Riverside being called for touching the net.
Orange closed the match on a 5-2 win with junior Aubry Hodges scoring consecutive blocks. Albert closed the match with a kill. Ollis finished with three aces in the third set.
It was Orange’s second road win of the year. They defeated Person in Roxboro last Tuesday.
