A record-setting season for the Nation Ford boys’ volleyball team ended abruptly in four sets against Legion Collegiate Lancers.
Nation Ford fell 3-1 (20-25, 25-19, 19-25, 20-25) to the Lancers in the second round of the 4A playoffs. The Falcons finished the season at 18-15 overall.
“This season has been amazing,” said Nation Ford head boys coach Amanda Scott. “This team did things we have never done before. I am not going to let this loss take away from what we have accomplished this season.”
Coming into the match after a first-round bye, Nation Ford had familiarity with the Lancers having beaten them twice in the regular season during Region 3-4A play. The Falcons were a No. 4 seed, while Legion was a No. 5 seed in the playoffs.
The first set was back and forth for the most part. Nation Ford did take a small 15-12 lead, but Legion was able to rally to tie the set.
Legion started catching the Falcons off guard and went up 21-17 using tips at the net instead of going for big kills. Legion was able to hold serve and go up 1-0 with a 25-20 first set win.
Nation Ford started 4-1 in the second set, but Legion came back to tie the set early on. The Falcons were able to start getting to returns quicker and used drop shots for kills. They allowed them to go up 9-6 before a Legion timeout.
The Falcons started to extend their lead out of the timeout scoring six of nine points. Nation Ford went up 18-10 forcing Legion into another timeout. Legion played better out of the timeout and closed the gap but was never able to make up the deficit completely. The Falcons tied the match at one set apiece with a 25-19 win.
Nation Ford kept their momentum going in the third set as they jumped out to a 7-4 lead. Legion battled back to tie it at eight, before going up 11-8 leading to a Falcons timeout.
Legion continued to make plays at the net and placing shots out of range for the Falcons as they went up 17-11. Nation Ford made some adjustments and came roaring back to pull within two at 19-17. Despite the small rally, the Lancers were able to take the set going up 2-1 with a 25-19 win.
The Lancers jumped out to a 7-3 lead in the fourth set and took the energy out of Nation Ford. The Falcons took a timeout to try and regain the momentum but wasn’t able to do so. Legion had several key blocks and was able to keep widening their lead. Unforced errors by Nation Ford didn’t help their cause, as Legion went up 20-13. The Lancers would hold on to win the set and advance in the playoffs.
Oct. 22 Roundup
The Catawba Ridge Copperheads swept Wade Hampton 3-0 (25-11, 25-26, 25-17) in their second round 4A playoff match to improve to 19-9 overall on the season. Catawba Ridge will move on in the playoffs to face Indian Land on the road in the third round on Tuesday, Oct. 27.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
