Volleyball and girls’ tennis playoffs will open next week with all local high schools represented.
In girls’ volleyball at the 4A level, Nation Ford, who finished the regular season with its third consecutive region title with a perfect 14-0 Region 3-4A record and a 27-4 overall record, got the overall No. 1 seed in the state. The Falcons will have a first-round bye and will play the winner of Wade Hampton-Easley on Monday, Oct. 26 in the second round. Nation Ford has home court advantage throughout the playoffs.
A seven seed, Catawba Ridge girls’ volleyball team will also have a home match against Fountain Inn in the first round on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Catawba Ridge finished the regular season at 20-13 overall and 10-4 in Region 3-4A. They would face the No. 2 seed Greenville in the second round.
In Region 2-5A, Fort Mill will host region foe Boiling Springs in the opening round on Oct. 21. The Jackets are a five seed and beat Boiling Springs twice in the regular season, both in five sets. Fort Mill finished the regular season at 18-6 overall and in second place in the region at 8-2. They would play at Mauldin in the second round if victorious.
In boys’ volleyball, Nation Ford has a first-round bye and will host the winner of Clover and Legion Collegiate on Thursday, Oct. 22. Nation Ford is a No. 4 seed and finished the regular season at 18-14 overall and 8-2 in the region in second place.
Catawba Ridge boys’ volleyball is a three-seed and will also have a first-round bye. They will host the winner of Wade Hampton-AC Flora on Oct. 22. The Copperheads finished the regular season at 18-9 overall and 6-4 in the region in third place.
The Fort Mill boys’ volleyball team is the eighth and final seed in the 5A playoffs after finishing the regular season at 14-13 overall and 5-5 in the region. They will travel to Rock Hill on Tuesday, Oct. 20 to face the No. 1 seeded Bearcats, whom they split matches with during the regular season. The winner plays the winner of Dorman and Lexington in the second round.
In 4A tennis, Region 3-4A winners Catawba Ridge will have a bye in the first round as the No. 2 seed. They will face the winner of Gaffney-Fountain Inn in the second round on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Catawba Ridge finished the regular season at 12-1 overall and 12-0 in the region.
Nation Ford is the fifth seed in the Upper State and will host Laurens in the first round of the tennis playoffs on Oct. 22. They would travel to Greenville in the second round of the playoffs on Oct. 27. Nation Ford finished their region record at 10-2 overall in second place.
In 5A tennis, Fort Mill will host Boiling Springs as a five seed on Oct. 22. Fort Mill finished second in the region with an 8-2 record and are 12-2 overall on the season. Fort Mill would play at Lexington in the second round of the playoffs.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
