Needing two points to take the match, the Catawba Ridge boys’ volleyball came up big to win in four sets over Legion Collegiate Academy scoring two points out of a timeout to secure the victory.
Catawba Ridge won 3-1 (25-18, 17-25, 25-21, 25-23) over the Lancers finishing with two tough sets for the win. The win put the Copperheads at 15-8 overall and 4-3 in Region 3-4A.
“We have a good team,” said Catawba Ridge head coach Ross Lisee. “It has just been more about consistency. Consistency in sets and staying focused between sets. Playoff wise we should be good; we just have to keep winning. We have a big one against Nation Ford on Tuesday (Oct. 6).”
Catawba Ridge opened the first set going up early 7-3 over the Lancers. Legion battled back to tie at 10 after scoring four of five points. The match continued to remain close with both teams edging ahead but not being able to pull away.
Catawba Ridge went up 19-16 leading to a timeout by Legion. The timeout didn’t help as the Copperheads came out of the timeout scoring four more points and seven consecutive to go up 23-16 before closing the set out to take the advantage.
Legion scored first to open the second set, and while the Copperheads quickly went ahead, the Lancers kept the set close. Catawba Ridge was strong with their blocks to keep volleys alive, but Legion stayed one step ahead of them scoring six straight points to go up 9-5.
The Copperheads called a timeout to regroup but struggled to find the rhythm the way they had in the opening set. Legion was able to start pulling away going up 18-10 before another Catawba Ridge timeout.
While the Copperheads played better out of the second timeout, the gap was too much for them to overcome as Legion tied the match at a set a piece.
The third set started much like the first as it was back and forth with neither team pulling away. Legion got a small lead at 13-10, but the Copperheads were able to fend off a run and rallied to keep the set close.
Trailing 18-16, Catawba Ridge scored four points to get the lead as it was Legion that tried to regroup with a timeout. Despite that, the Copperheads held on to win the set, regaining the lead.
The Copperheads tried to keep the momentum in the fourth set but were unable to pull away. Points got longer as both teams were able to keep volleys going. Catawba Ridge played a smart set as they didn’t chase long shots by Legion and was able to go up 10-6 off four straight points.
Despite the run, the Copperheads were able to rally and tie the set at 17. Catawba Ridge was then able to make a small run, which was enough to create the distance they needed, or so they thought. Legion scored six of nine points to tie the set at 23, forcing the Copperheads into a timeout.
Sept. 29 Roundup
The Nation Ford girls’ volleyball team won 3-0 (25-21, 25-9, 25-20) over Clover on the road to improve to 22-4 overall on the season and 9-0 in Region 3-4A.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
