It took a little bit, but Nation Ford head volleyball coach Craig Brown feels like his volleyball team is starting to find themselves.
Nation Ford beat Catawba Ridge 3-1 (25-19, 25-20,23-25, 25-10) to improve to 6-3 on the season Thursday night. The loss drops the Copperheads to 5-4 on the season.
“Our lineup is starting to come together,” Brown said. “We are getting our middles way more involved and we are serving well.”
Nation Ford controlled the first two sets for the most part, despite the Copperheads consistently staying with them in the early going of the first set. The Falcons opened the first set going up 4-1, but Catawba Ridge tied the match at 6-6.
Each lead Nation Ford claimed, the Copperheads would fight their way back in to the match. Catawba Ridge would tie the set on several different occasions, but each time the Falcons would find another gear and pull away. Tied at 17, Nation Ford scored five of the next six points to go up 22-18 before taking the 25-19 first set win.
The second set was all Nation Ford as they opened up a 5-2 lead and never really looked back as they controlled the set and prevented Catawba Ridge from keeping pace.
The third set was the best one for the Copperheads as they started strong and despite letting Nation Ford find their way back into the match, they didn’t falter, as they would surge ahead 24-22 down the stretch and get the win.
After regrouping to enter the fourth set, Nation Ford opened things up going up 8-1 and forcing the Copperheads to take a time out. Catawba Ridge played better out of the time out and pulled within striking distance, but they never were able to really catch the Falcons.
Nation Ford is scheduled to play next week at Byrnes in a tri-match and then at home again against Rock Hill Sept. 9. Catawba Ridge is next scheduled to play at home against South Pointe Sept. 7 and then Rock Hill Sept. 8.
Golf
Both Nation Ford and Catawba Ridge came away with wins on the golf course recently. Nation Ford beat Northwestern Thursday 180-220 at Waterford Golf Course and was led by a 34 from Vivian Harris. She was followed by a 42 from Sara McCaskill and a 47 from Katie Griggs. Drew Ruth finished the scoring for the Falcons with a 57.
Catawba Ridge beat Fort Mill Wednesday by two strokes, 203-205 at Fort Mill Golf Club. Eileen Zeoli shot a 39 to lead the Copperheads and she was followed by a 42 from Katherine Mann. Reagan Lynch shot a 58 and Amenet Stout finished with a 64. For Fort Mill, they were led by a 42 from MacKenzie Finn and then a 45 from Greycen Baker. Cayla Cappuzzo finished with a 55 and Mia Cunningham had a 63.
Tennis
Catawba Ridge remained undefeated on the season and now sits at 5-0 on the year and 2-0 in Region 3-4A. The Copperheads beat York 6-0 Thursday winning all six matches in straight sets. Winning for Catawba Ridge was Sarah Taylor (6-0, 6-2), Claire Hivner (6-1, 6-0), Aiyana Uter (6-2, 6-1), Sara Maleady (6-0, 6-1), Lilly L’esperance (6-2, 6-1) and Mallory McCart/Ava King in doubles (6-0, 6-1).
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
