Volleyball's Gillespie Named Region Player Of The Year

HOSCHTON — Jackson County High School junior Paisley Gillespie was named the 2023 Region 8-AAAAAA Volleyball Player of the Year last Thursday, prior to the region championship volleyball match. 

Gillespie's honor marks the second straight season a Jackson County player earned Region Player of the Year honors, as Sydney McCutcheon earned the honor in 2022. 

Entering last week's region tournament, Gillespie had 255 digs on the season, to go along with 322 kills and a .248 hitting percentage. Gillespie also had 58 aces when serving for the Panthers. 

In addition to Gillespie being tabbed Player of the Year, McCutcheon was named First-Team All Region, her fourth-straight season with the honor. Ruthie Fowler was named First-Team All-Region for a second straight season. Ava Lesniak and Allyson Page were named the second-team. 

Jackson County earned a home state playoff match with a region tournament semifinal victory over Lanier last Wednesday, beating the Longhorns in straight sets. The Lady Panthers lost the region tournament championship match in a competitive, back-and-forth five sets to tournament host North Forsyth. 

Jackson County hosts the No. 3 seed from Region 5 in Class AAAAAA. The first round matches will be held either Oct. 17 or 18th.