ROSSVILLE – The best season in the history of the Troup High volleyball program came to a close on Thursday.

Facing Ridgeland in the second round of the Class AAAA state tournament, Troup’s historic season ended with a straight-sets loss.

Ridgeland, which won its region and beat Carver-Columbus in the first round of the state tournament, won 25-17, 25-19 and 25-18 to advance to the elite eight.

For Troup, it was a disappointing conclusion to a special season, the best in the 20-year history of the program.

Before this season, a Troup volleyball team had never won a state-tournament match, but this team changed that with a straight-sets win over Burke County last week.

Troup finished 21-15, an impressive record considering the team’s strength of schedule.

Among Troup’s finest moments this season was a victory at Cartersville, which won the Area 5-AAAA championship.

Thursday’s match was the final one for eight seniors who have meant so much to the program and have helped it reach this point.

Those seniors are Akhya Mitchell, Madi Jeter, Bailey Lawson, Akhea Mitchell, Savannah Laney, Jayde Dowden, Tori Cason and Lauren Sheets.

The team is coached by Jodi Dowden.

Reach Kevin Eckleberry at (706) 884-7311 or on Twitter @lagrangesports