CLOVER – The Fort Mill boys’ volleyball team came up one set short to the Clover Blue Eagles losing in five sets to earn a share of the Region 3-5A title.
Fort Mill fell 3-2 (25-16, 23-25, 17-25, 25-21, 11-15) and dropped to 5-1 to finish their region schedule. Clover also finished their region schedule at 5-1, with the two teams splitting matches against each other this season. Fort Mill beat Clover in four sets earlier in the season, while Clover won in five Wednesday, which could affect seeding in the playoffs.
A frustrated head coach Tamisha Martin said her Jackets squad lost because of a lack of execution.
“They didn’t execute,” Martin said. “We have been in situations like this a few times now. In the fifth set, we got out smarted.”
The Jackets started out strong going up early in the first set 8-5. Clover stayed close throughout, but Fort Mill was able to play well and set up good returns to extend their lead to 20-11 before closing it out.
Fort Mill started out well again in the second set going up 8-6, but Clover managed to rally and tie the set at 13. Clover then scored five of the next eight points and forced Fort Mill into a time out. The Blue Eagles continued to pull away, while Fort Mill stayed within striking distance. Fort Mill would tie the set at 21, but Clover scored four of the next six points to tie the match at 1-1.
The third set was all Clover as they controlled the set from the opening serve going up 6-1. Fort Mill stayed close after a small rally, but was never able to catch the Blue Eagles. Fort Mill pulled within three at one point, but Clover again pulled away to win the set and go up 2-1 in the match.
Both teams went back and forth in the fourth set to start, but Fort Mill was able to pull ahead at 11-8 and kept momentum in their court as they would push that lead to 19-13 and went on to tie the match after taking the fourth set in convincing fashion.
The final set started badly for Fort Mill and got worse as Clover went up 8-5 forcing the Jackets into a time out. Coming out of the time out, Clover kept pushing the pace and went up 12-7 before putting the Jackets away with a 15-11 final.
Fort Mill now is 8-10-2 overall on the season and has a tournament this weekend in Dorman before finishing off the season with a home and away match against Airport High School.
Oct. 4 Roundup
The Nation Ford boys’ volleyball team fell to Indian Land 3-0 (25-21 25-14, 25-18) to drop to 3-9 on the season.
The Fort Mill girls’ golf team beat York 184-189 at Tega Cay Golf Club. Mackenzie Finn shot a 41 to lead the Jackets. Sam Benton finished with a 43 and Cayla Cappuzzo finished with a 48. Caroline Player rounded out the scoring with a 52.
The Catawba Ridge girls’ tennis team beat South Pointe 6-0 to improve to 9-3 overall and 8-1 on the season in Region 3-4A. Winning for the Copperheads was Nala Uter 6-0, 6-0; Gracyn Root 6-0, 6-1; Emerson Brooks 6-1, 6-4; Sydney Biggers 6-0, 6-1; Skylar White 6-3, 6-1 and in the only doubles match Abby Russell and Katelyn Evans teamed up to win 6-2, 6-3.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
