For the sixth straight year, the Nation Ford Falcons volleyball team remains on top of the mountain locally with another region title.
Nation Ford finished their Region 3-5A schedule undefeated at 8-0 capturing their sixth consecutive region title by beating Clover 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, 25-8) Thursday.
“With the region under our belt, our focus is on getting stronger competition and getting ready for the playoffs,” said Falcons’ head coach Carrie Christian.
While Christian’s comments could easily be misconstrued as a knock on the region, the competition for Nation Ford in the region really hasn’t been strong this season and the results have proven that. The Falcons have played the minimum number of sets – three – in each match and never dropped a set in the entire eight game region schedule.
The Falcons are now 13-2 on the season with its only losses being to TL Hanna and JL Mann as part of tri-matches. Nation Ford has matches against Northwestern, Rock Hill and more tri-matches to end the regular season.
With only a four round playoff bracket, the road to a third straight 5A championship won’t be easy for Nation Ford.
“We won’t have any easy matches,” Christian said. “It is going to be tougher.”
Earlier in the week, Nation Ford beat Catawba Ridge 3-0 (25-10, 25-18, 25-11) in their match. The Copperheads finished second in Region 3-4A behind Indian Land with a 6-2 record, as they are 9-6-3 on the season.
Catawba Ridge has three more regular season games left before the playoffs. Those games are at Fort Mill Oct. 14 and then hosting Ridge View and Northwestern.
Copperheads’ Alicia Lisee said playing strong teams like Nation Ford, despite losing, helps get them ready for the playoffs.
“We want big teams like Nation Ford, Fort Mill and Rock Hill, because one day I know we will be there,” she said.
Tennis
The Nation Ford Falcons finished their Region 3-5A record with a 5-1 win on the road over Gaffney. The Falcons ended their regular season with an undefeated region record at 8-0. They have only one loss on the season and will open up the playoffs at home Oct. 20 against an opponent to be determined.
Vanessa Cardona won at No. 1 singles by scores of 6-0, 6-2 and Alex Cardona won at No. 2 singles 6-3, 6-1. Neha Arunprakash won 6-3, 6-1 at No. 3 singles, Layla Washington won at No. 4 singles 6-1, 6-4 and Ansley McDonald won at No. 5 singles in three sets 2-6, 6-4, 11-9.
Golf
Catawba Ridge beat both Fort Mill and Rock Hill at the Rock Hill Country Club Thursday. The win for the Copperheads put them at 7-0 on the season. Catawba Ridge shot a 180, while Fort Mill shot a 209 and Rock Hill shot a 232.
Catawba Ridge was led by a 43 from Katherine Mann and a pair of 44s from Eileen Zeoli and Kate Gilmer. Alyia Santiago finished things off for the Copperheads with a 49.
Fort Mill was led by Mackenzie Finn and Kinsley Delcourt, who both shot 51, and Emily Broshious, who shot a 52. Cayla Cappuzzo finished with a 55 for the Jackets.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
