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PCA Athletics

Volleyball: The fifth consecutive trip to the NCISAA 1A quarterfinals for the PCA Lady Raiders ended the same way as their first trip in 2019 with a 3 – 0 loss to Kerr Vance Academy. The loss ended the career for six seniors: Anna Stoop, Julia Rouse, Raylee Lynch, Madison Prince, Emma Hanna and Allison Sawyer. Lynch led the team in kills with 286, ranking third overall in NCISAA 1A. Anna Stoop led the team in aces with 76 and assists with 499, both were ranked 4th in NCISAA 1A. Stoop also leaves as the school’s all-time leader in assists with 1,786 and service points with 695. Pungo will return four players as they look to rebuild in 2025.

Football: The Raiders capped off the most successful season in recent memory with a 43 – 14 victory over Northeast Academy to finish 7 – 1. Starting quarterback Carr Eagles was out due to sickness which put senior Evan Woolard in at QB. Woolard ended his senior season in style, completing all three of his attempts for 114 yards and two touchdowns, with one going to fellow senior Luke Ross for his first touchdown of the season. It was a running back by committee for Pungo as Austin Gibbs, Josiah Murray, Parker Byrd, McKinney Waters and Connor Copes split 13 carries for 221 yards and five touchdowns. Byrd and Waters continued to lead the defense, combining for 28 tackles while Jackson Walker added 12 and three tackles for loss. Woolard, Ross and Copes will graduate, but the Raiders will return 12 players and seven starters on both sides of the ball in 2025. Add six upcoming freshmen from the JV, who went 5 – 1, and the Raiders should be poised for another record setting year next fall.

Cross Country: The Raiders ended their season last Friday at the NCISAA State Championship meet held at Wake Med Park in Raleigh. The girls finished fourth, tying the highest finish in program history, led by Julia Rouse (5th), Taylor Rouse (10th) and Madeline Clayton (24th). Both Julia and Taylor earned All-State honors. The boys finished in 10th led by Luke Rouse (10th), Trent Armstrong (35th) and Ryan Rouse (41st). Rouse was also named to the All-State team. Luke and Julia Rouse are the only seniors on the team and the Raiders hope to improve on their successful season next year.