Before the season started, Gilbert tragically passed away. And after Woodmont (42-2) defeated Wando (37-7) in four sets (19-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-22) to win the SCHSL Class 5A state championship on Nov. 7 at Dreher High School, all Horgan could think about was how proud her father would be.
Woodmont High Wildcats celebrate with fans after beating Wando High in four sets at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
Woodmont High Wildcats celebrate with fans after beating Wando High in four sets at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
Woodmont High Wildcats celebrate with fans after beating Wando High in four sets at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
Woodmont High Wildcats celebrate with fans after beating Wando High in four sets at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
Woodmont High Wildcats celebrate with fans after beating Wando High in four sets at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
Woodmont High Wildcats celebrate with fans after beating Wando High in four sets at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
Woodmont High Wildcats get their medals after beating Wando High in four sets at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
Woodmont High Wildcats get their medals after beating Wando High in four sets at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
Woodmont High junior Mallory Mizell (2) celebrates a point playing Wando High during the second set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
Woodmont High junior Mallory Mizell (2) celebrates a point with teammates playing Wando High during the second set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
Woodmont High senior Sam Willis (3) dives to save a ball playing Wando during the fourth set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
Woodmont High senior Sam Willis (3) hits a ball playing Wando during the fourth set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
Woodmont High senior Ellie Lynch (6) saves a ball near Woodmont High junior Mallory Mizell (2) playing Wando High during the third set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
Woodmont High Head Coach Haleigh Horgan communicates with players in a huddle playing Wando High during the third set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
Woodmont High junior Mallory Mizell (2) hits a ball by Wando players during the third set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
Woodmont High sophomore Avri Broughton (4) sets a ball playing Wando High during the third set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
Woodmont High senior Sam Willis (3) hits a ball playing Wando High during the third set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
Woodmont High junior Mallory Mizell (2) hits a ball near Wando High senior Lily Mahoney (12) during the third set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
Woodmont High senior Kendall Cobb (5) taps a ball over the net playing Wando High during the fourth set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
Woodmont High senior Sam Willis (3) celebrates a point playing Wando during the fourth set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
Woodmont High junior Mallory Mizell (2) celebrates with teammates near fans after beating Wando High in four sets at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
Woodmont High Wildcats celebrate with fans after beating Wando High in four sets at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
Woodmont High junior Mallory Mizell (2) hits a ball by Wando High senior Bella Spraul (10) during the second set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
Woodmont High sophomore Avri Broughton (4) hits a ball playing Wando during the second set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
Woodmont High sophomore Avri Broughton (4) bumps a ball near teammate Woodmont High senior Diana Gonzalez (13) playing Wando High during the second set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
Woodmont High junior Mallory Mizell (2) hits a ball past Wando players during the second set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
Woodmont High senior Sam Willis (3) hits a ball by Wando High senior Campbell Legette (14) during the second set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
Woodmont High junior Sarah Geraghty (7) hits a ball by Wando during the second set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
Woodmont High Wildcat fans cheer their team playing Wando High during the second set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High Wildcats celebrate with fans after beating Wando High in four sets at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High Wildcats celebrate with fans after beating Wando High in four sets at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High Wildcats celebrate with fans after beating Wando High in four sets at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High Wildcats celebrate with fans after beating Wando High in four sets at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High Wildcats celebrate with fans after beating Wando High in four sets at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High Wildcats celebrate with fans after beating Wando High in four sets at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High Wildcats celebrate with fans after beating Wando High in four sets at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High Wildcats get their medals after beating Wando High in four sets at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High Wildcats get their medals after beating Wando High in four sets at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High junior Mallory Mizell (2) celebrates a point playing Wando High during the second set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High junior Mallory Mizell (2) celebrates a point with teammates playing Wando High during the second set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High senior Sam Willis (3) dives to save a ball playing Wando during the fourth set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High senior Sam Willis (3) hits a ball playing Wando during the fourth set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High senior Ellie Lynch (6) saves a ball near Woodmont High junior Mallory Mizell (2) playing Wando High during the third set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High Head Coach Haleigh Horgan communicates with players in a huddle playing Wando High during the third set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High junior Mallory Mizell (2) hits a ball by Wando players during the third set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High sophomore Avri Broughton (4) sets a ball playing Wando High during the third set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High senior Sam Willis (3) hits a ball playing Wando High during the third set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High junior Mallory Mizell (2) hits a ball near Wando High senior Lily Mahoney (12) during the third set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High senior Kendall Cobb (5) taps a ball over the net playing Wando High during the fourth set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High senior Sam Willis (3) celebrates a point playing Wando during the fourth set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High junior Mallory Mizell (2) celebrates with teammates near fans after beating Wando High in four sets at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High Wildcats celebrate with fans after beating Wando High in four sets at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High junior Mallory Mizell (2) hits a ball by Wando High senior Bella Spraul (10) during the second set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High sophomore Avri Broughton (4) hits a ball playing Wando during the second set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High sophomore Avri Broughton (4) bumps a ball near teammate Woodmont High senior Diana Gonzalez (13) playing Wando High during the second set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High junior Mallory Mizell (2) hits a ball past Wando players during the second set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High senior Sam Willis (3) hits a ball by Wando High senior Campbell Legette (14) during the second set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High junior Sarah Geraghty (7) hits a ball by Wando during the second set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
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Woodmont High volleyball vs Wando in SCHSL volleyball AAAAA match
Woodmont High Wildcat fans cheer their team playing Wando High during the second set at the SCHSL AAAAA volleyball State Championship at Dreher High School in Columbia, S.C. Saturday, November 7, 2026.
(Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina)
"I remember exactly where he sat when he watched us win it last year," Horgan said, hardly containing her emotion. "He is and was my biggest fan. That's why you heard our fans screaming, 'We love Jimmy!' and why our T-shirts say, 'Run it back for Jimmy.' It was a really devastating loss. I'm blessed that he got to see us win it last season, and even more proud that we were able to go back-to-back."
Right after the final point, Horgan locked eyes with her mother, Patricia Gilbert. That's when tears began flowing for both of them.
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"That was the goal. ... to do it for him (Jimmy)," Patricia Gilbert said. "After every game, he was her first phone call. She was the apple of her father's eye. He was a former coach, so he really helped shape her into who she is today. He'd be so proud of her. So, so proud."
The win wouldn't have been possible without the team's talented roster. The Wildcats are thankful to have players like junior 6-foot outside hitter Mallory Mizell, whom Woodmont turned to whenever they desperately needed to get out of a rotation. And senior outside hitter Sam Willis, who stands at just 5-6, but jumps out of the gym whenever it's time to kill the ball. The program's senior setter, Riley Goss, has run the team's offense since her freshman year and has over 2,500 assists in her career.
"It's an amazing feeling to complete the two-peat," Goss said. "That's the type of thing that really only happens once in a lifetime. We truly made history at Woodmont."
One side of the gymnasium screamed, 'We are!' Directly after, the other side howled, 'Woodmont!" Goss couldn't hide her contagious grin if she tried, scrambling to take pictures with her friends and family.
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"These girls have become my family," Willis said. "Even the coaches, we're all super, super close. We've all been best friends for so long, and it means the world to have lifelong connections with people I've won a championship with."
The team will lose several seniors to graduation, and most of them played key roles to win a state title. Even so, the program knows it got over the hump of winning one title and made an even bigger name for itself by winning two.
"Yes," Mizell immediately said when asked if a three-peat is in the cards for the program. "Next season will definitely be a regrowing year since we're losing a lot of talent, but with the girls we had here today, we can still come in and make a difference."
In the end, Horgan took one last glance at the empty seat in the bleachers, as a wave of sorrow, appreciation, and joy hit her.
"He was my best friend," she said about her father. "But I'm just proud. I'm so, so proud."
Kamryn Jackson covers high school and college sports for the Spartanburg Herald-Journal, Greenville News,Anderson Independent Mail, and the USA TODAY Network.
