Falcons win to advance to Upper State title match

By Karl Lyles - klyles@heraldonline.com

FORT MILL -- Nation Ford didn't change a thing to prepare for Hillcrest in the third round of the state volleyball playoffs Tuesday. The fourth-ranked Falcons knew all about Hillcrest's storied success on the court. They knew the sixth-ranked Rams had claimed two of the past three state titles and had been to five consecutive Upper State championship matches.

Nation Ford knew all about its opponent, and it didn't matter a bit.

The Falcons, in just their third season, took it to the Rams and won the match, 3-1.

Nation Ford improved to 26-3 with the win. Up next is a trip to the Upper State title match Thursday at top-ranked Dorman (25-1).

“Our team is ready. We want this,” Nation Ford junior outside hitter Sara Bebeau said.

Bebeau led the Falcons with 17 kills and added 11 digs to go with two service aces. Caylee Antilley and Ashley Grayson teamed up for 15 kills. Morgan Wolf led the team with 13 digs.

Carrie Christian is in her first year as Falcons coach. She has the team playing its best volleyball of the season.

Christian thinks opponents have underestimated her team all year, despite the Falcons' record and high state ranking. Now her team is two wins away from a state championship.

“No one expected this from us,” Christian said. “I think we are still surprising people.”

A chant came from the large home crowd late in the final game, “We want Dorman.”

The Falcons seem ready to take that step.

“We aren't changing our system at this point in the season,” Christian said confidently. “These girls are a great team. They are really fiery and they won't be intimidated by anyone. They will do absolutely anything it takes to win.”

The Falcons took control of the match right from the start. They won the first game, 25-15, with aggressive serves that kept Hillcrest disorganized. Bebeau made her presence known with five kills in the opening game. Each hit was a no-doubter as four of the five kissed the court's perimeter and zipped away, well out of the reach of any Rams players.

Nation Ford took a 2-0 lead by winning the second game 25-19. Hillcrest rallied to win the third game 25-20.

Christian wasn't the least bit concerned.

“I knew we would come out mad,” Christian said. “It was probably a good kick in the butt for us.”

The Falcons went out with a 25-16 Game 4 win to take the match. Heather Gerhart and Sheila Walsh teamed up on a block to seal the victory.

“Coach read us the newspaper today,” Gerhart said. “We knew how good Hillcrest was going to be. We had to come out with good energy.”

Gerhart described the game-winning block this way: “I knew No. 10 (Hillcrest's Kylie Haun) would be hitting. It was good to stuff it back in her face.”

Walsh thought the match would be tougher than it was. She said the win will give her team extra confidence going to Dorman.

“Hillcrest almost beat Dorman. If we beat Hillcrest, we should beat Dorman,” Walsh said.

Hillcrest finishes the year with a 17-5 record.