South Carolina H 5226: Pickens HS volleyball champs

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5226 Text of Previous Version (Feb. 24, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5226

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

House: Hiott

Attorney: Ravenel

Drafting Assistant: Rogers

Date: February 20, 2026

DOC. ID.: /LEGISLATIVE 
COUNCIL/VR/DRAFTS/LC-0446VR-GM26/LC-0446VR-GM26.DOCX

A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE Pickens High School girls 
varsity volleyball TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR A remarkable SEASON 
AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2025 SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS AAAA STATE 
CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Whereas, the South 
Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the members of the Pickens 
High volleyball team won the state title for the second year in a row at the 
state tournament held at Dreher High School in Columbia on Saturday, November 
8, 2025; and

Whereas, to the thrill 
of their faithful fans, the Pickens Blue Flame defeated a fine, competitive 
field of rivals and swept the Bishop England Battling Bishops, the national 
leader in volleyball state championships, to win the championship in straight 
sets; and

Whereas, in the first 
set, the Blue Flame built an early 8-3 lead behind kills from Kaci Gillespie 
and Chesney Yates, and extended it with stellar serving by Krysta Bennefield, 
who served six straight points, as Pickens took the first set 25-16; and

Whereas, after Bishop 
England took an early lead in the second set, Pickens' senior outside hitter 
Chesney Yates willed her team back ahead 12-9 with six kills and two blocks, 
while senior libero Natalie Hunter provided standout defense, keeping the 
Bishops off the board, and the Blue Flame won the second set 25-16; and

Whereas, the Bishops 
took another early lead in the third set, but the Blue Flame was not to be 
denied, erasing a five-point deficit to take the lead away, and, leading 24-22, 
senior setter Lily Clarkson served her final point for the Blue Flame picking 
up the final assist on a kill from fellow senior Chesney Yates, as the Blue 
Flame secured the set, 25-22, and the 3-0 victory, to win the state trophy; and

Whereas, in a sport 
that requires precision, teamwork, and dexterity, Head Coach Mellie Crumpton 
and her accomplished coaching staff capitalized on their own athletic ability 
and training to produce yet another championship-caliber team and to teach 
these athletes lessons that will prove invaluable through life both on and off 
the courts; and

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina House of Representatives appreciate the pride and 
distinction that the Pickens volleyball players have brought to their school 
and to the community, and they expect to hear of the team's continued 
achievements in the days ahead. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the 
South Carolina House of Representatives, 
by this resolution, recognize and honor the Pickens High School girls varsity volleyball 
team, coaches, and school officials for a remarkable season and congratulate 
them for winning the 2025 South Carolina Class AAAA State Championship title.

Be it further resolved 
that a copy of this resolution be presented to Principal Lauren Corn and Coach 
Mellie Crumpton. 

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This web page was last updated on February 24, 2026 at 12:56 PM