WADESBORO — Playing for No. 5.

This was the motto for this season’s Anson volleyball team.

“What really gets me pumped before each and every game is thinking about Shaundasia and how she would want me to fight for every point,” said senior captain Brooke Edwards. “I simply just play for 5.”

A member of the Bearcat volleyball team last season, Shaundasia Smith was shot and killed on March 29 while attending a sleepover at a friend’s house.

Anson coach Patty Livingston believes the team used the loss of their friend and teammate to pull together and post one of the better seasons in recent memory. Anson finished the regular season with a 17-7 mark and a 4-6 mark in the Southern Carolina Conference.

Anson tied for third in the SCC with Sun Valley and Weddington. The Bearcats won the tiebreaker and went into the postseason as the conference’s third seed.

“I think that playing for No. 5 has given us a certain focus and made us close in a lot of ways,” Livingstone said. “We’ve all dealt with it in different ways and at certain times it was been an emotional ride, but it also provides us with a special bond.”

During Senior Night festivities earlier this month, the team presented a framed No. 5 jersey to Smith’s grandparents before the game with Weddington. Following the contest, the players along with Smith’s grandparents, Sheriff Landric Reid and his wife, released lanterns.

Anson’s season came to an end Saturday afternoon when it lost in the first round of the state 3A playoffs. Anson, the No. 16 seed in the West Region, fell at home to Forestview in four games. The Jaguars pulled out a 25-9, 21-25, 25-19, 25-22 victory. The Bearcats finish with a 17-8 record.

It was the second-straight season Anson qualified for the state playoffs. Anson also lost in the first round last year when it was swept by Enka.

In playoff contests involving other SCC teams: regular-season champion Marvin Ridge rolled past Crest 25-4, 25-8, 25-21 and faced North Iredell in the second round today at home. Marvin Ridge is the No. 6 seed in the West Region.

Cuthbertson, the No. 10 seed in the West, knocked off East Rowan 25-16, 25-18, 25-14 in the opening round. Cuthbertson was scheduled to play host to No. 26 seed West Iredell today.

Sun Valley, the other SCC team to fall in the opening round, lost to Cox Mill 25-13, 25-6, 25-13. Sun Valley was seeded 24th in the West Region.

The varsity team huddled up with Sheriff Landric Reid.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_volleyball-submitted-1.jpgThe varsity team huddled up with Sheriff Landric Reid.

Contributed photo The Bearcats volleyball team presented the late Shaundasia Smith’s grandparents with a framed No. 5 jersey.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_volleyball-submitted-2.jpgContributed photo The Bearcats volleyball team presented the late Shaundasia Smith’s grandparents with a framed No. 5 jersey.

Anson’s senior volleyball players with Sheriff Landric Reid.
https://ansonrecord.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_volleyball-submitted-3.jpgAnson’s senior volleyball players with Sheriff Landric Reid.

By Hannah Knotts

and Olivia Edwards

For the Record