Iron Horse girls' volleyball team crowned state champions
It was Jay Watterworth’s ultimate goal ever since he was named coach of the Philip Simmons High School girls’ volleyball team in 2017.
In past years, he circled the date of the state championship on the calendar and sweated the details of reaching the big match.
Finally, on Nov. 8, he and his talented squad celebrated a state championship with a 3-0 victory over Landrum High School in the Class AA state championship, which was contested at Dreher High School in Columbia.
Mission accomplished.
“Man, I’m overcome with emotion,” said Watterworth, whose team capped the season with a 25-17, 25-16, 25-23 victory over the Cardinals. “The girls have prepared so long for this moment. They have worked and worked to reach this goal. They did it.
“They did the work in the weight room, studied in the classroom,” he added. “There had to be so many things that had to go right for us to win it. I felt confident we would get there.”
The Iron Horses’ run to the state crown was flawless, as they didn’t drop a set in four postseason matches. They upped their record to 38-5, while Landrum closed out the season with a 29-5-2 record. The Cardinals entered the state championship on a roll with six consecutive wins.
But on this day, the Iron Horses proved to be the better team as they pushed their all-time record to 238-66.
“We have embraced every emotion this season,” Watterworth said. “We played a schedule that prepared us for the postseason. We played the best because we wanted to be the best.”
The Iron Horses came close to competing in the state championship match in past years but were 0-5 in Lower State championship appearances. The Iron Horses were finally able to hoist the state championship trophy with the victory over Landrum.
Watterworth is passionate about volleyball. He attended North Greenville University and played soccer. All that changed in 2003 when a soccer teammate asked Watterworth to play intramural volleyball.
“I could never have imagined that moment would lead to me falling in love with the game,” Watterworth said. “Today, I’m still as passionate about the game but more passionate about my team. The greatest group of girls had a mission this year and achieved it. What a journey. I’m overwhelmed by the support of family and friends. After 19 years in the coaching game, I can finally say, ‘State champion.’”
The 2025 edition of Iron Horse volleyball featured top-shelf talent that was young, yet experienced.
Watterworth praised his three seniors who went out winners: Sophia Pheney, Carson Mills, and Maddy Meloeny. He called Pheney the “heartbeat” of the team.
The team also included six juniors, three sophomores, and a freshman.
McRae Stephenson, the Region 6-AA player of the year, will return next fall along with teammates Catherine Futch and Dani Gehringer, who were named all-region. Gabby Kakalev, another all-region pick, will be one of the top juniors in the Palmetto State.