In their only meeting of the season on the volleyball court, the Nation Ford girls’ volleyball team got the best of Fort Mill.
Nation Ford beat Fort Mill 3-0 (25-14, 25-16, 25-18) as they improved to 5-1 on the season. Fort Mill fell to 4-3. The former region rivals are now in different regions and classifications so they won’t be seeing each other again this season in the sport.
The win for the Falcons was the first since they played in the North-South Invitational on Aug. 15.
“We have practiced hard,” said Nation Ford head coach Craig Brown. “What I saw from them (Fort Mill) last week, I was a little worried. Our blocks started coming on later in the match and our defense has been strong.”
Nation Ford opened strong scoring five of the first six points in the first set. The Falcons maintained control, but Fort Mill was able to keep pace at 10-5. The Jackets struggled at times with unforced errors, like serving the ball long, giving points to Nation Ford.
The Falcons were strong at the net getting blocks that Fort Mill wasn’t able to return. Nation Ford went up 19-10 leading to a Jackets timeout. The Falcons kept control of the match out of the timeout and went up 1-0 winning the first set 25-14.
Nation Ford kept their foot on the gas starting the second set 7-0. Fort Mill struggled to keep up as the Falcons momentum was too strong.
The Jackets were able to pull within four at 12-8. However, Nation Ford rattled off five consecutive points before another Fort Mill timeout. Like in the first set, the Falcons continued to control the serve and won 25-16 in the second set.
Fort Mill drew first blood in the third set by taking the first point. The Jackets played better in the third set going up 4-2 early, but the Falcons stayed close.
Nation Ford tied the match several times, but Fort Mill continued to find a way. After being tied at eight, the Falcons scored two consecutive points getting the lead for the first time in the set.
The Falcons didn’t pull away as Fort Mill remained within striking distance. Nation Ford got its biggest lead of the third set at 18-14. The Jackets kept things close, but weren’t able to rally enough to keep the match going as the Falcons won the third set 25-18.
Fort Mill head coach Erin Kayton said he knows her team can play better.
“We made so many unforced errors, we dug ourselves a hole and we couldn’t come back,” she said.
Nation Ford will next play at South Pointe on Tuesday, Sept. 1, while Fort Mill will then host Palisades on Thursday, Sept. 3.
Aug. 25 Roundup
The Fort Mill girls’ tennis team beat the Lake Wylie Chargers in the first ever meeting between the two schools in the sport. Fort Mill won 6-0 and are now 3-0 on the season. Winning for Fort Mill was Abhi NallaReddy 6-1, 6-1; Molly Goodson 6-1, 6-2; Kendall McCarty 6-0, 6-1; Avalon Stevens 6-0, 6-1; Siona Soman 6-0, 6-0; and in doubles Ellie Corbett and Evie Dyer 6-0, 6-0.
The Catawba Ridge boys’ volleyball team swept Rock Hill 3-0 (25-13, 26-24, 25-15) to open the season at 1-0.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
