Coming off clinching the Region 3-5A title earlier in the week, Nation Ford girls’ volleyball had their hands full against rival Fort Mill.
Nation Ford won 3-1 (25-19, 25-15, 22-25, 25-19) to finish their region schedule undefeated at 12-0. The win put the Falcons at 34-7 overall, while Fort Mill dropped to 8-7 overall and 6-6 in region play.
Nation Ford scored first and showed early why they are one of the better teams in the state going up 9-5 in the first set. Fort Mill didn’t quit and rallied to pull within two at 11-9.
Despite the Jackets staying close, Nation Ford was able to control the set and keep the momentum in their corner. Fort Mill pulled within five at 20-15, but the Falcons kept their foot on the pedal and won 25-19 to take the one set lead.
The second set started closer with Fort Mill being able to keep pace with Nation Ford. Fort Mill took a small lead at 13-10, but the Falcons refused to let them go in a run. Nation Ford soon regained the lead at 18-15 to force the Jackets into a timeout.
Out of the timeout, the Falcons stayed in control and didn’t allow Fort Mill to climb back into it as they rattled off seven consecutive points to win the second set.
Being down 2-0 lit a fire under the Jackets as they came out to go up 7-2 to start the third set. Fort Mill pushed that lead to 11-4 before Nation Ford took a timeout.
The Falcons went down 13-4, but then came back strong to pull within three at 14-11 before a Fort Mill timeout. Nation Ford would tie the set at 14, before the two teams started trading points.
The Jackets then scored three points to go up 21-18, but the Falcons stayed on their heels to again tie the set at 22. Fort Mill clawed their way to a 25-22 win.
Nation Ford head coach Craig Brown said dropping a third set is something that needs to change before the playoffs.
“We have to get away from the third set let downs,” he said. “I am proud of how they fought back. We need to be pushed.”
The Jackets started out of the gate going up 5-3. Like Fort Mill in the first two sets, Nation Ford stayed close, but it was the Jackets that were more aggressive at the net and were able to place shots in certain spots.
Nation Ford tied the set at 14 and then went up 17-14 before a Jackets timeout. Although Fort Mill tied the set out of the timeout, Nation Ford again gained control to go up 20-17 before closing the fourth set out.
“I thought we played well and competed against a good team,” said Fort Mill head coach Erin Kayton. “That’s the best volleyball they played all year.”
Oct. 16 Roundup
The Fort Mill girls’ tennis team beat Nation Ford 4-2 to improve to 12-0 in Region 3-5A finishing their region schedule undefeated. Winning for Fort Mill was Abhi Nallareddy 6-1, 7-6 (9-7); Avalon Stevens 7-5, 6-1; Siona Soman 1-6, 6-2, 10-5; and in doubles Ellie Corbett and Macey Simpson 6-1, 6-3. Winning for Nation Ford was Piper Land 3-6, 6-4, 10-5 and Eva Mabey 6-2, 6-2. Nation Ford dropped to 9-2 overall and in the region.
The Nation Ford boys’ volleyball team swept Fort Mill 3-0 (25-23, 25-17, 32-30) to take the season series. Both teams finished the regular season as Nation Ford improved to 5-7 in Region 3-5A and 13-13 overall. Fort Mill fell to 7-18 overall and 2-10 in region play.
The Catawba Ridge boys’ volleyball team wrapped up their Region 3-5A schedule with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-20) win over Clover to finish the regular season at 23-4-2 overall and 12-0 in region play.
The Catawba Ridge girls’ volleyball team beat Clover 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-20) to finish the regular season at 22-12-1 and 10-2 in Region 3-5A.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
