Ashley Hall News & Blog

Panther Recap: October Athletics HighlightsOctober 30, 2026

Welcome to Panther Recap—your look at the latest moments, milestones, and momentum across Ashley Hall Athletics.

October was another outstanding month for Ashley Hall Athletics, highlighted by state championships, school records, region titles, and a celebration of one of the school's most accomplished coaching careers.

Tennis Makes it Three-Straight

Ashley Hall Girls Tennis completed the three-peat, capturing the SCISA 4A State Championship with an impressive 5-2 victory over Porter-Gaud. Senior Emily Kaye and sophomores Bridgette DeWolf and Finleigh Anderson were also recognized for their outstanding seasons, earning All-Region selections.

Swimming Makes Waves at State

Ashley Hall Swimming secured its second consecutive state runner-up finish at the SCISA State Meet, improving its team score by 21 points from last season.

Reves Sidebottom '30 continued her record-breaking season by winning the 50 Freestyle in 24.87 seconds, setting another Ashley Hall school record! The 200 Freestyle Relay team also captured first place, with London Edwards, Amelia Lennon, Olivia Gaines, and Sidebottom '30 combining for a standout performance

Cross Country Captures Region Title

The Panthers made history on the course, winning their first Region Championship since 2020. Natalie Bennett, Violet David, and Sophia Schauer led the way and earned All-Region honors for their performances.

Equestrian Starts Strong

Ashley Hall Equestrian continued its strong start to the year, earning two first-place finishes in October at its IEA and SCISA shows.

Volleyball Celebrates Seniors and Coach Franny Slay '80

Volleyball wrapped up its season with a 2-2 weekend at the State Tournament, marking the conclusion of an extraordinary season and coaching career for Head Coach and Athletic Director for Operations, Franny Slay '80. After 42 years of coaching and 873 career victories, Coach Slay is retiring and leaves behind a lasting legacy at Ashley Hall and beyond.

Reflections on her historic tenure echo the deep relationships built over decades: “It makes me realize how many lives that I’ve touched, but how many lives that I’ve been touched by, by being able to experience Ashley Hall Volleyball,” Slay shared. Reflecting on the bond that defined her teams, she added, “(Ashley Hall Volleyball) is a family. The girls are so committed... having those fellow alums come back to share their love as well, it’s a very special program.”

Amelia Finnegan '27 and Ava Payton were also recognized for their performances this season, earning spots on the SCISA 4A All-Region team.

Congratulations to all our student-athletes and coaches on another memorable month!

PQV, Panthers!

Looking Ahead

The fall season continues into November, with several exciting events on the schedule:

• October 31 | Cross Country: SCISA State Meet in Columbia
• November 14–15 | Sailing: Regatta in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
• November 14 | Archery: Season opener at Northwood Academ
• November 19 | Basketball: Regular-season home opener against Trinity Collegiate

With championship performances behind them and new seasons getting underway, the Panthers are ready to keep the momentum rolling!

Thank you for following this month’s Panther Recap. Stay connected with @AshleyHallPanthers for ongoing highlights, announcements, and stories from across our athletic community. PQV, Panthers!