The Nation Ford and Catawba Ridge girls’ volleyball teams put on an instant classic with the Falcons coming out on top in four sets Thursday night.
Nation Ford won 3-1 (25-27, 25-11, 25-14, 25-22) to improve to 8-2 on the season after Catawba Ridge took the opening set.
Catawba Ridge and Nation Ford traded points to open the first set, but the Falcons quickly started to pull away and went up 10-5. However, the Copperheads fought back and tied the match at 16-16 as the two teams continued to trade points back and forth with no team getting a clear advantage.
The Copperheads then took a 24-23 lead as Nation Ford took a time out to try and regroup. Catawba Ridge was able to come out on top winning three of the next five serves.
After the Copperheads win, Nation Ford discussed how to bounce back in a team huddle.
“I told them they weren’t playing Nation Ford volleyball,” said Falcons’ head coach Craig Brown.
The second set was what Brown was looking for as Nation Ford jumped out to an 8-1 lead and never looked back, as Catawba Ridge struggled to pass the ball and create opportunities.
“It was a little big of a roller coaster,” said Catawba Ridge head coach Alicia Lisee. “The second and third sets we struggled. We have got to grow and be smarter in those situations.”
The third set was closer, but Nation Ford still controlled serve going up 6-0 to open the set. They then went up 15-5 and would put together runs of scoring between five and eight points at a time.
“That is what we were supposed to play like,” Brown said. “I was proud of us.”
With Nation Ford leading two sets to one, the fourth set was more like the first with Catawba Ridge and Nation Ford battling it out. The Copperheads went up 5-1, but Nation Ford came back to tie it at six. Catawba Ridge would score a couple points in a row, but the Falcons continued to be strong and was able to bounce back each time.
Tied at 19-19, Nation Ford was able pull away going up 22-19 as Catawba Ridge took their first of two time outs in the set. The Copperheads rallied but were never able to tie the set from that point forward as Nation Ford pulled off the win.
Nation Ford next takes on Marvin Ridge at home Sept. 6 and Catawba Ridge plays South Pointe to open their Region III schedule on Sept. 5.
Aug. 31 Roundup
The Catawba Ridge tennis team beat York 6-0 to open Region III play. Getting wins for the Copperheads were: Nala Uter 6-1, 6-1; Gracyn Root 6-4, 6-1; Sydney Biggers 6-0, 6-3; Emerson Brooks 6-0, 6-1; Katelyn Evans 6-1, 6-0 and Skyler White/Abby Russell in doubles 6-0, 6-1.
The Catawba Ridge girls golf team beat South Pointe and Rock Hill in a tri-match at Waterford Golf Club. Catawba Ridge shot a 163 with Rock Hill shooting a 221 and South Pointe a 225. Reagan Lynch led with a 36 for the Copperheads and Brooke Mehlhouse followed with a 39. Anjali Peddisetty had a 43 and Jordan Lyons finished with a 45.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
