Johns Creek High School is already turning heads in the volleyball community. With 42 girls at tryouts, the new school was able to field three teams—freshman, junior varsity and varsity—in its first year of existence. As an added bonus, all three teams are experiencing success right out of the gate. As of August 28, 

•    The Freshman team is 3 – 0 and has not dropped a set

•    The JV team is 5 – 0 and has not dropped a set

•    The Varsity team streaked to a 7 – 0 start before dropping a match to 5th-ranked Creekview in the semifinal match of the Forsyth challenge. The semifinal showing earned the team a tie for 3rd place in the 18-team tournament.

The Varsity team went on to sweep a home stand on Aug. 28, bringing their current record to 9-1. The secret is now out though: On Aug. 24, Johns Creek High School snuck into the Georgia High School Coaches’ poll, debuting at no. 9 in the AAA classification. To put this in perspective, when current AAAAA volleyball power Northview opened in 2002, their varsity team finished with a record of 5-42. Three years later, Northview went on to win the AAAAA state championship.

Comprised of two juniors, seven sophomores and four freshmen, all of the athletes have contributed to the team’s hot start. Junior outside hitter Becky Moye paces the Gladiator offense, leading the team in kills, with 58. Freshman outside hitter Emily Cappai follows with 38 kills, and leads the team in hitting percentage at .382. Emily’s sister, sophomore libero Kelli Cappai, leads the team in serve receive and digs, saving 67 of the oppositions’ attacks. Freshman defensive specialist Jennifer Miller is second on the team in digs, with 30. Sophomore middle hitters Brittany Boslet and Andrea Fletcher lead the team in service aces, with 22 and 21 respectively. Juniors Megan Travers and Kylee Janousek are also contributing to Johns Creek’s success—Travers from the back row defense, and Janousek from the right side. Freshman Sara Rogers and sophomore Emily Couch are the setters responsible for keeping the Gladiator offense humming. Rounding out the inaugural Gladiator volleyball team are freshman right side hitter Hannah Collins and sophomore outside hitters Molly Moran and Kimberly Straub.