Falcons sweep region meets ahead of showdown with Fort Mill

The Nation Ford Lady Falcons picked up two Region III wins last week, making easy work of Rock Hill and Gaffney.

The Lady Falcons swept both teams 3-0 to improve to 23-6-2 on the season. Nation Ford sits in second behind Fort Mill in region play. The rivals will play Thursday at Nation Ford for the teams’ second meeting of the season.

Against Gaffney, Nation Ford won 25-21, 25-21 and 25-16. They were led by Madison Garner, who had 20 digs, Jessica Kemp with 10 kills and six blocks and Clarissa Bates with 27 assist and nine digs.

“We didn’t play well the last time we played them,” said head coach Carrie Christian. “So this was big.”

Nation Ford started the first set going up 12-4 before Gaffney tried to regroup during a time out. Gaffney stayed close after the time out and closed the gap to 22-18 before Nation Ford took a time out of its own.

The Lady Falcons came out focused and ready to finish Gaffney off.

The second set was just as close as the final score was identical at 25-21. Nation Ford jumped out to a 4-1 lead, but Gaffney came back to tie the set at 6-6.

The Lady Falcons started to pull away at 12-9 and then 17-13 and took a 22-16 lead, but Gaffney scored four straight, forcing another time out by the Lady Falcons.

Again, after a time out, Nation Ford closed things out to take a 2-0 lead.

In the third set it Gaffney started hot, going up 9-6. Nation Ford stayed close and finally caught up, knotting it up at 13-13.

Nation Ford then scored five of its next six points to go up 18-14 before pulling away for the win.

Play against Rock Hill was similar as the Lady Falcons won 3-0 (25-20, 25-13, 27-25). Nation Ford started the first set 6-3, but Rock Hill stayed close throughout.

Rock Hill trailed 15-10, but scored seven straight points before a Nation Ford time out. After the time out, Nation Ford rattled off four straight points to regain the lead and start pulling away.

In the second set, it was all Nation Ford as the Lady Falcons went up 10-5. Rock Hill stayed close for a while making it 12-10, but the Lady Falcons extended the lead to 18-13 and finished with seven straight points to win.

The third set was a little more challenging for Nation Ford as Rock Hill took an early 8-7 lead. Nation Ford jumped ahead 14-8, but Rock hill kept it close and cut the lead to just three at 20-17.

Rock Hill tied at 24-24 forcing the match into extra serves. The Lady Falcons won by two at 27-25.

This story was originally published September 28, 2015 at 11:18 AM with the headline "Falcons sweep region meets ahead of showdown with Fort Mill."