COLUMBIA — Pickens High School volleyball coach Rikki Owens said the Lady Blue Flame’s loss in last week’s state title match could not tarnish the luster of an “incredible” season.

“Losing the state championship to another excellent team does not define the incredible and memorable season we had,” Owens said. “We are extremely proud and grateful for our journey, successes and growth together as a team. Not everyone can say they have made it to the final stage four years in a row, battling through such a tough 4A region with other fiercely competitive teams. We earned every game and fought until the very end, and that shows true character and grit! I am blessed to share my passion with such incredible young women. What a special, special

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