Lady Falcons ousted from volleyball playoffs

By Karl Lyles - klyles@heraldonline.com

ROEBUCK -- Nation Ford's run through the state volleyball playoffs came to a screeching halt Thursday at No. 1 Dorman. The Cavaliers won the match 3-0 (25-16, 25-23, 25-16). Nation Ford finished the year with a 26-4 record.

Dorman (26-1) advances to the state finals on Saturday where it will meet Lexington, a 3-0 winner over White Knoll on Thursday.

The Cavaliers will return to the state championship match for the first time since 2005. The team's last title came in 2004. Coach Paula Kirkland and her team will be seeking their 11th state championship. Kirkland ranks third on the state's list of all-time coaching victories.

Nation Ford came in very aware of Dorman's history. The Lady Falcons fell behind, 6-0, in the first game.

“I think maybe we came out too hyped for the game,” Carrie Christian, Nation Ford's first-year coach, said.

The second game was a good example of the style of play that took Nation Ford volleyball to the Upper State match. The Lady Falcons attacked their way to a 15-10 advantage. Caylee Antilley, Jordan Meadows, Ashley Grayson and Sara Bebeau contributed kills in the early run.

“The first game may have been a case of nerves. In the second game, you saw why Nation Ford was here,” Kirkland said, giving a nod to the Lady Falcons.

Dorman bounced back with solid defense and some quick sets to take an 18-17 lead on a Stephanie Palmer kill. Palmer, a senior outside hitter, will play for Winthrop next fall.

Christian praised her team, saying she couldn't be more proud of them. She complimented Dorman, calling them the best team Nation Ford played this season.

“(Dorman) is the best offensive and defensive team we've seen this year. They are a complete team,” Christian said. “They have a huge block. They are always well-positioned. It is hard to stay offensively confident against them.”

Several times, Nation Ford unloaded big hits that Dorman was able to dig and extend the point. Those hits had left opponents baffled all year.

“Dorman's defense is incredible,” Nation Ford's Heather Gerhart said with tears on the edge of her lower eye lashes. She is one of three seniors on Nation Ford's roster.

“I think we were all confident to start, but it didn't all come together in the first game,” said Morgan Wolf, Nation Ford's senior libero.

Nation Ford senior middle blocker Ashley Grayson said her team knew what they were up against in facing Dorman.

“I am really proud of this team,” Grayson said. “I'm proud of how far we've come this year. This team will be strong again next year.”