INDIAN LAND – Another strong performance by the Indian Land Warriors against the Catawba Ridge Copperheads ended their season this time.
Indian Land beat the Copperheads 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-15) to win the 5A Division II Upper State Championship Wednesday and advance to the state finals Saturday, Nov. 9 at AC Flora High School.
“We let them go on runs,” said Copperheads’ head coach Ross Lisee. “It is tough to climb back into sets when that happens.”
After winning the first two matches against Catawba Ridge this season, the Warriors started strong on their home court and quickly doubled up the score to start 10-5 in the opening set. Catawba Ridge stayed in the match and worked their way to within four at 17-13.
Indian Land was strong at the net mixing up kills and tips to keep the Copperheads off balance. Catawba Ridge kept it close, but struggled in putting together a strong run to take the lead. After a timeout, the Warriors were able to come out and take the first set.
Indian Land again came out in the second set taking the attack to the Copperheads. The Warriors were able to go up 10-5 leading to a Catawba Ridge timeout to try and regroup.
The Copperheads got frazzled after the timeout and struggled to make up much ground as Indian Land continued to widen their lead. Indian Land went up 20-12, but three straight points by Catawba Ridge allowed them to make up some ground.
Despite closing the gap, the Warriors were too strong on the corners and closed out the second set to go up 2-0.
Indian Land jumped out to a 5-2 lead to open the final set. The Warriors stayed in control and quickly doubled their lead to 11-5 forcing the Copperheads into a break.
Catawba Ridge struggled to find any rhythm in the third set as Indian Land went up 14-6 and continued to get stronger as the set went on.
Indian Land continued to pound the ball at the net and despite their best effort by the Copperheads, they were unable to find any ground to rally.
Catawba Ridge finished the season at 16-9 overall.
Nov. 6 Roundup
The Catawba Ridge girls’ tennis team fell on the road to Riverside High School 6-0 in the second round of the 5A Division II playoffs. The Copperheads finished the season at 8-8 overall.
For the second consecutive day, the Fort Mill girls’ tennis team was rained out. They will try to make up their second-round home playoff match with Hillcrest on Thursday, Nov. 7.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
