by Joseph W. Gex II, Contributing Writer

CLINTON (GG) — The Our Lady Academy Crescents continue their stranglehold on the state finals on the volleyball court, no matter who the opponent is. The Crescents (41-4) beat Belmont in four games to claim their third consecutive Class 3A state championship in volleyball and 17th overall title giving the Crescents the most team titles in a single sport in MHSAA history.

The Crescents entered A.E. Wood Coliseum on the campus of Mississippi College as the Division 8-3A and Class 3A South State champions and they left as the 2024 Class 3A state champions.
The Crescents dropped the first set of the match 13-25 in what many thought might be an ominous start to the finals. However, the Crescents rebounded and beat Belmont 25-16, 25-22, and 25-23 in the next three sets to claim their 17th state title in the sport.
OLA head coach an athletic director Emily Corley commented, “We were not mentally in the game in the first set. After that first set, we took the girls out of the gym, sat them down, and talked to them about playing their game. We talked about playing like we had all season long. They agreed and we went out and got the job done over the course of the next three sets.”
In the state title match the Crescents were led by Taylor Henley with 18 kills, 14 serve receptions, and 5 blocks followed by Myah Favre with 11 points, 3 aces, 9 kills, and 2 blocks. Kaylin Kinniburg finished with 7 points, 3 kills, and 2 aces while Ava Davis had 15 points, 4 aces, and 39 assists. Kinsley Jean Stegall had 22 digs, 18 serve receptions, and 7 points. Loralai Williford tallied 9 kills, 10 serve receptions, 6 digs and a block and Julia Hoffman had 3 kills and 2 blocks.
Corley added, “This is a great group of girls. We are very proud of them. They way they played throughout the entire season, they deserved to win this title. We have five seniors that we will miss greatly on the court in Ava Davis, Anna Kate Ivey, Julia Hoffman, Kinsley Jean Stegall, and Gabby Haas.”
The MVP of the state finals was Taylor Henley and the Scholar Athlete was Reagan Krebs.
Previously, OLA junior Myah Favre was named Class 3A Miss Volleyball by the Mississippi Association of Coaches.
Favre has been in the rotation for the Crescents since her eighth-grade year. As an 8th-grader, Favre tallied 217 kills, and the sky was the limit for her from that point on.
In her freshman year, Favre jumped to 532 kills with 166 points, 72 aces, 34 blocks, and 59 digs. As a sophomore, Favre managed 474 kills with 187 points, 54 aces, 79 blocks, and 120 digs. And, in 2024 Favre has collected 575 kills with 234 points, 76 aces, 65 blocks, and 181 digs.
Favre commented on the honor, “This is a tremendous honor. I remember seeing the presentation and recognition for the girls last year. When they informed me that I was being honored, I almost cried. Having the recognition that comes with it pushes me to play harder. The bigger the stage, the better I want to play for teammates, especially the younger ones. I want them to get that experience.”
In addition to the three Class 3A state titles to her credit, Favre has been selected for the All-Region 8-3A team 2021-23, All-State Tournament team 2021-23, and the 2023 All-South Volleyball Player of the Year. Off the court, Favre is the Junior Class President, Vice President of the OLA Ambassadors, Class Representative for the Crescent Athletic Club, and a member of the National Art Honor Society.
OLA head coach and athletic director Emily Corley talked about Favre, “Myah is so deserving of this award. She has a love for the game that can only be understood by watching her play. She is a force on the court with amazing energy. What makes her even more special is what a wonderful young lady she is on and off the court. Myah draws people to her and has a presence about her! It has been an honor to coach her the past four years.”
The Crescents have owned the volleyball court this millennium. OLA has won the division championship every year since 2000 and advanced to the state playoffs. The Crescents have won South State championships in 2001-2003, 2006-19, and 2021-24. OLA has won state titles in 2002-03, 2006-09, 2012-19, and 2021-24. When the court is in session, OLA is judge, jury, and executioner.