The Catawba Ridge girls’ volleyball team were upset in the second round of the 5A Division II playoffs falling in five sets to the Hillcrest Rams.
Catawba Ridge fell to Hillcrest 3-2 (25-21, 22-25, 24-16, 19-25, 8-15) and finished the season at 22-13-1 overall.
“I think are biggest problem we have had is finishing,” said Catawba Ridge head coach Alicia Lisee. “We don’t know how to turn it up and kick it into high gear. We have had trouble getting over that hump.”
After Hillcrest tied the match at two sets apiece, the Rams started a fifth set going up early 6-2. Mistakes by the Copperheads allowed Hillcrest to push their lead to 11-3 before a Catawba Ridge timeout.
The Copperheads didn’t cash in their chips as they found spots to place the ball and pulled within five points. However, it wasn’t enough to complete the rally as the Rams would grab the win and advance.
To open the match, the Copperheads scored three of the first four points to open the first set and establish an early advantage. That didn’t last long as Hillcrest rallied to score five straight and go up 6-4.
Catawba Ridge would tie the set at seven. However, the Rams shot selection was good and they were able to keep the ball out of reach for the Copperheads as they went up 13-9 leading to a Catawba Ridge timeout.
The Rams kept the advantage out of the timeout. Catawba Ridge would keep close to Hillcrest, but struggled to put points together to where they could make a run. The Copperheads chipped away until they tied the set at 21 and then took the lead one point later before a Hillcrest timeout.
This time out of the timeout, the Rams weren’t able to regroup as the Copperheads scored three consecutive points to take the opening set.
Although they allowed a set winning rally in the first set, Hillcrest again started strong and went up in the second set 6-4. That advantage again didn’t last as the Copperheads tied the set at seven.
Neither team was able to make a big run, but the Rams were able to take a small 16-12 lead midway through the second set after being tied at 12.
Hillcrest went up 18-13 forcing the Copperheads into a timeout. The Rams maintained its lead out of the timeout and went up 22-16 as Catawba Ridge called another timeout.
Out of the timeout, the Copperheads scored four of five points to pull within three at 23-20 forcing the Rams to regroup with a timeout. Hillcrest would finally get the two points it needed to win the set and tie the match at one.
Although they lost the second set, Catawba Ridge came out strong in the third set and started 5-0 before Hillcrest took a timeout.
The Copperheads kept things going out of the timeout and had strong play at the net from multiple players. The momentum from the start allowed Catawba Ridge to jump out to a 11-0 lead before the Rams scored.
Catawba Ridge stayed in command of the set and went up 15-4 before taking a 20-8 lead as the Rams took another timeout.
Hillcrest put together a small rally to pull within seven and make it more respectable at 22-15 before the Copperheads would win the set and go up 2-1.
Hillcrest made sure that Catawba Ridge didn’t jump out to a quick start like in the third set as they matched them point-for-point.
The Rams then picked up the aggressive attack and went up 11-4 scoring six of seven points as the Copperheads took a timeout.
Hillcrest went up 14-6, and just when it looked like they were going to run away with it, Catawba Ridge stormed back to tie the set at 16.
After a timeout, the Rams responded and were able to put together a small run and go up 21-18 to hang on for a set win to tie the match at two forcing a fifth set.
Oct. 27 Roundup
The Nation Ford girls’ volleyball team swept Easley 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-14) in the second round of the 5A Division II playoffs and improve to 35-7 overall. The Falcons will host Greenville on Oct. 29 in the third round of the playoffs.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
