ATHENS — Thursday was a very special for Canton volleyball - it was Vayda Bryan's birthday, and they gave her the present they've been trying to give her for the past three years.

Bryan passed away after a tragic accident just before camp started in 2024. The team rallied to make a district final then but lost to NEB, then last year they fell to Sayre in the district final.

This year would be Bryan's senior year, and they wanted to mark it by giving her a gold medal.

It certainly wasn't easy, but they came through with a 3-2 win to beat Williamson.

"We all felt she was with us tonight," an emotional Thompson said after the match. "I couldn't imagine any other way."

Every point, every kill, every dig Canton was playing for Bryan.

"It was very special today," senior Cailyn Van Noy said. "Today's her birthday and I think that's the best birthday present we could have given her."

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