Players, coaches and parents gathered at Salem United Methodist Church in Diggs on Monday evening at a banquet to celebrate Mathews High School’s 2017 state championship volleyball season.

Thanks to the generosity of Dr. Ben Lennon (who also supplied the evening’s meal), the highlight of the evening was the awarding of championship rings.

For several of the girls, this was the second ring they’ve received from Lennon—in August, the Mathews dentist presented the members of the 2017 MHS softball team with rings after their championship season.

“There’s a lot of people in Mathews who love sports,” Lennon said. “I’m not the only one.” He said he’s honored to play a part in celebrating their achievement, which he said is “like the Super Bowl of state.”

In his brief comments to the members of the reigning state champion Lady Devil team, Lennon singled out the accomplishments of head coach Pat Moughon, who not o...