With a 3-0 sweep of Greenwood, the Catawba Ridge boys’ volleyball team advanced to the 4A Upper State title match Wednesday.
Catawba Ridge beat Greenwood in the Arena 25-12, 25-20, 27-25 and will now host the Eastside Eagles in the 4A Upper State championship Monday, Oct. 30. Eastside upset No. 1 seed Wade Hampton in five sets Wednesday.
Against Greenwood, Catawba Ridge started strong and didn’t have much close competition in the first set, but that changed in the second and third sets.
The Copperheads opened the first set going 4-0 before Greenwood took a time out. Coming out of the time out, Catawba Ridge extended its lead to 15-8 and then 20-10 forcing Greenwood to hit pause again in taking a time out.
Coming out of the time out, Catawba Ridge finished off the set scoring five of the final seven points to go up 1-0.
The second set was a little closer as Greenwood went up early, but the Copperheads rallied to tie the set at 4. From there, Catawba Ridge started to offensively move ahead and again started controlling the set more. The Copperheads went up 14-11 and then 17-12 as Greenwood called time to try and regroup.
Greenwood did rally some and pulled within two at 20-18, but Catawba Ridge was too strong and went up 2-0 in taking the second set.
The third set was more of a battle for the Copperheads. Greenwood again got the better start and went up 5-2, before Catawba Ridge would tie the set at 7. The two teams battle back and forth taking multiple lead changes forcing the Copperheads to take a time out to strategize.
The two teams would tie the set at 18 and then again at 22. Greenwood held set point with a 25-24 lead, but Catawba Ridge scored three consecutive points to come from behind and win the third set.
The match win for Catawba Ride puts them at 20-8-1 overall on the season.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
