Winning Streak Continues With Fourth Straight Championship Title!

Ashley Hall is pleased to announce that its Varsity Tennis Team has once again won the 2021 SCISA Class 3A State Championship. Under the guidance of new head coach, Charlotte Hartsock, the Panther program continues its tradition of excellence by securing its fourth championship title in a row. 

After a 5-4 victory over Trinity Collegiate on Friday, Ashley Hall beat Porter-Gaud 5-2 on Saturday to win its fourth straight championship.

“This has been a great group of girls,” said Panthers head coach Charlotte Hartsock. “They’ve worked really hard and they were the underdogs this weekend. We pulled it out beautifully.”  

On the team’s recent win and ongoing success, Head of School Jill Muti added “Congratulations to Coach Hartsock and all members of our Varsity team. I am so proud of you and your accomplishments.” 

Ashley Hall finished the year with a 13-5 record. The Panthers had played Porter-Gaud three times during the regular season, winning once. However, they had their full complement of players during the final match and were able to win despite the grueling semifinal match. 

Senior team members included Dorothy Fort, Jane Goldstein, Vivian Miller, Natalie Richards, and Penny Wallace. 

Ashley Hall welcomes Christian Alcantara to the Panther Athletic Program. Coach Alcantara joins our team from the Dripping Springs, Texas Independent School District where he taught physical education. He also held the position of College Director and Elite Clubs National Coach for the Rebel Soccer Club in Chula Vista, California. At Ashley Hall, Coach Alcantara will serve as Assistant Athletic Director and will also oversee the Panther Soccer Program. You will also find him teaching physical education.

On the addition of Coach Alcantara to the Panther Program, Athletic Director Franny Slay ’81 said, “We’re thrilled to have a fresh perspective on our staff and believe Christian brings a terrific set of skills and experience to our program. We look forward to seeing him bring out the best in our girls.” 

We recently sat down with Coach “A” and asked him a few questions so that we might get to know him.    

What excites you most about your position at Ashley Hall?
First and foremost, Ashley Hall is an outstanding institution full of history and tradition. In my role, I will have the opportunity to continue my passion for athletics and physical education and look forward to adding to the amazing reputation. Lastly, it’s so exciting to feel the passion and pride on campus for Ashley Hall, it really is the perfect team environment. 

What makes a student athlete special in your mind?
Every student athlete faces adversity in some way or another and what makes them special is the journey they take to overcome it.  Mental toughness, grit, and resilience are strong passions of mine, so it’s really special to see student athletes overcome their obstacles.

Who is your favorite female athlete and why?
I am a big fan of Abby Wambach.  In my opinion, she was a key part in the United States Women’s National Soccer Team’s rise to the top and the love for the women’s game here in the US.  Her ability to step up in the biggest moments was unbelievable to watch.  But it was her ability to lead that really caught my attention.  

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In addition to Coach Alcantara, Ashley Hall is pleased to announce the following new members to its coaching staff:

Varsity Tennis | Charlotte Hartsock
Junior Varsity Tennis | Ashley Timbes and Caroline Parnell
Swimming | Carley Nitchie

Team leadership continues under the guidance of the following coaches:

Golf | Terese Dynjan
Cross Country | Morgan Lee ’16
Sailing | Kate O’Donnell
Equestrian | Cyndi Simpson
Varsity and Junior Varsity Volleyball | Franny Slay ’81

Thank you to our dedicated Bantam Team coaches:

7th & 8th Grade Volleyball (Purple) |  Donya Amer
7th & 8th Grade Volleyball (White) | Lyric Scott
6th Grade Volleyball | Sarah Eckert
5th Grade Volleyball | Merrit Davis ’22

Let’s go Panthers!

photo above provided by: Volvo Car Open

Congratulations to Emma Navarro ’20 on becoming the 2021 NCAA Women’s Tennis Singles National Champion (while simultaneously reaching the semifinals in the NCAA Doubles Tournament)

Career Highlights:

• 2021 ITA (Intercollegiate Tennis Association) Rookie of the Year

• 2021 NCAA Women’s Tennis Singles National Champion (second player in program history to win the NCAA Women’s Tennis Singles Championship)

• 2021 NCAA Women’s Tennis Doubles Semifinalist

• Named a finalist for the 2021 Honda Sport Award for Tennis

• Named the 2021 ACC Freshman of the Year as well as All-ACC First Team

• A six-time ACC Freshman of the Week and a two-time ACC Player of the Week

• Earned her first WTA top-100 win at the MUSC Health Women’s Open

• Finished her freshman year season with a 25-1 record which is the best single-season winning percentage in program history (.961)

• Named the Lowcountry’s Girls’ High School Tennis Player of the Year by the Post and Courier

• Won the 2019 Junior French Open Doubles Championship with Chloe Beck

• A three-time SCISA Class 3A State Champion

Best in the State! Join us in congratulating our fall athletes who were named to SCISA’s All State Teams. Incredible work, panthers!

Volleyball

Laughlin Murray ’21
Anna-Leigh Snyder ’21

Swimming

Mattie Hood ’23
Kate McEvoy ’21

Tennis

Vivian Miller ’22
Claudia Miller ’21
Meggie Navarro ’22

Cross Country

Cecily Anderton ’23
Ailish Ward ’23
Atalie Evans-Godley ’22

Congratulations to our fall athletes who were recently named to the Post and Courier’s All-Lowcountry Teams! We are so proud of the dedication, teamwork, and perseverance shown by all our Panthers this fall.

Post and Courier All-Lowcountry Teams | Fall 2020

SWIMMING | 3rd place: 2020 SCISA Class 3A Girls State Tournament

Honorable Mention
Mattie Hood ’23
Kate McEvoy ’21
Rachel Martin ’23

TENNIS | 2020 SCISA Class 3A Girls State Champions

Player of the Year
Vivian Miller ’22

Coach of the Year
Mary Gastley

First Team
Meggie Navarro ’22

Honorable Mention
Claudia Miller ’21
Marissa Dye ’21
Ella Gray Settle ’21
Kayla Kirkland ’21

GOLF

Honorable Mention
Raegan Propes ’22
Chloe Ross ’22

CROSS COUNTRY | 2020 SCISA Class 3A Girls State Champions

First Team
Cecily Anderton ’23
Ailish Ward ’23
Atalie Evans-Godley ’22

Honorable Mention
Brice Tibbals ’23
Eliza Groat ’25

VOLLEYBALL | 3rd place: 2020 SCISA Class 3A Girls State Tournament

First Team
Laughlin Murray ’21

Honorable Mention
Anna-Leigh Snyder ’21

Due to Hurricane Florence, Ashley Hall will be closed from Tuesday, September 11 until further notice. This decision follows Governor McMaster’s executive order that calls for the closure of all government and school facilities in Charleston County. All extra-curricular activities, including the Panther Picnic, Extended Day, and sporting events are cancelled during this time. Ashley Hall will closely monitor the situation on the Charleston peninsula and will communicate updates as soon as they become available. For the latest news, please follow our Facebook and Instagram pages, or visit the Learning Commons. Our Ashley Hall family is in our thoughts, and we look forward to having our students back soon. Stay safe everyone!