HORRY COUNTY SPORTS ROUNDUP: NMB Volleyball, County Powers Deliver Memorable Fall Season Across Horry County

While football has dominated Friday night headlines across the Grand Strand, Horry County schools have quietly put together one of the strongest non-football fall seasons in the region, highlighted by championship volleyball, state playoff appearances, and standout individual performances.

North Myrtle Beach Volleyball Leads The Way

No Horry County fall sports team enjoyed more success this season than the North Myrtle Beach Chiefs.

North Myrtle Beach finished the year with a remarkable 34-10 record, captured the Region VI-AAAA championship with a perfect 12-0 region mark, and finished ranked among the top teams in South Carolina Class AAAA volleyball.

The Chiefs’ postseason run ended in dramatic fashion in the state playoffs, falling to South Aiken in a five-set thriller. Despite the loss, North Myrtle Beach actually outscored South Aiken 102-101 across the match. Final set scores were 21-25, 25-21, 25-19, 15-25 and 15-12.

Senior outside hitter Lilly Loeswick emerged as one of the area’s top players and consistently delivered when the Chiefs needed her most.

In the playoff loss to South Aiken, Loeswick finished with 25 kills, 12 digs, two solo blocks and two aces. She also recorded 25 kills and 20 digs in a regular-season victory over Myrtle Beach.

For the season, Loeswick averaged 4.7 kills per set and 4.1 digs per set while finishing with 60 service aces and 469 digs.

The Chiefs received major contributions from senior setter Mikayla Altena, who finished the season with 822 assists and delivered 38 assists in the playoff battle against South Aiken.

At the net, Madison Johnson anchored the defense with 94 total blocks, including four blocks during the postseason matchup.

North Myrtle Beach entered the playoffs riding a six-match winning streak and won eight of its final nine road matches.

Chiefs Dominated Region Competition

During a key stretch of region play, North Myrtle Beach posted victories over Wilson and West Florence to remain unbeaten in league competition.

Against Wilson, Loeswick recorded 21 kills while the Chiefs added 15 team blocks. Altena contributed 27 assists, and Joelyn Hall added 13 digs.

In a straight-set win over West Florence, Loeswick added 12 kills while Madison Johnson and Madi Vereen controlled the net. Altena finished with 20 assists as the Chiefs completed another dominant region victory.

Carolina Forest Reaches State Playoffs

Carolina Forest also made noise during the postseason.

The Panthers opened the SCHSL Class 5A playoffs with a victory over Fort Dorchester before their season came to an end against powerhouse Wando, one of South Carolina’s perennial volleyball contenders.

The playoff appearance continued Carolina Forest’s reputation as one of the strongest athletic programs on the Grand Strand.

St. James Adds Signature Victory

St. James earned one of the county’s most exciting wins of the season when the Sharks outlasted Myrtle Beach in a five-set battle.

Taylor Siegmund delivered a huge performance for St. James, finishing with 18 kills while posting an impressive .581 hitting percentage. The Sharks survived 25-19, 25-14, 23-25, 11-25, 15-6 to secure the victory.

The match showcased the depth of talent throughout Horry County volleyball, where multiple programs spent the season battling for region positions and playoff seeding.

Golf Programs Bring Home State Titles

Horry County’s success extended beyond the volleyball court.

Two Grand Strand girls golf teams captured South Carolina state championships this fall, further cementing the county’s reputation as one of the top high school sports regions in the Palmetto State.

The championships continued a tradition of excellence in girls golf throughout Horry County, where several programs have consistently competed among the state’s best.

Strong Fall Across The County

From North Myrtle Beach’s championship volleyball season to Carolina Forest’s playoff run, St. James’ signature victories, and state championship performances on the golf course, Horry County athletes delivered another memorable fall campaign.

While football enters the postseason spotlight, the accomplishments of the county’s volleyball players, golfers, tennis athletes and other fall sports competitors have already ensured that 2026 will be remembered as another successful year for Horry County athletics.

Season Notebook

• North Myrtle Beach finished 34-10 overall and won the Region VI-AAAA championship with a perfect 12-0 record.
• Lilly Loeswick finished the season averaging 4.7 kills per set and 4.1 digs per set.
• Mikayla Altena recorded 822 assists during the season.
• Madison Johnson finished with 94 total blocks.
• Carolina Forest advanced to the SCHSL Class 5A volleyball playoffs.
• St. James earned a five-set victory over Myrtle Beach behind 18 kills from Taylor Siegmund.
• Two Horry County girls golf programs captured South Carolina state championships.