Catawba Ridge set for Upper State title match, plus all local volleyball playoff results
Three rounds of the 2021 volleyball playoffs have been completed, and the Catawba Ridge Copperheads are headed to the Upper State championship.
After receiving an opening round bye, Catawba Ridge knocked off Irmo 3-1 and toppled Lugoff-Elgin 3-1 last week to advance to the final four. The Copperheads will carry a record of 23-8 into Tuesday’s 6 p.m. match at home against perennial power Pickens.
Catawba Ridge, which won the Region 3-4A title with a perfect record, has been consistent throughout the year.
Head coach Alisha Lisee attributes the success to leadership and teamwork.
“This is our first senior class, and they have done an exceptional job of leading all year,” she said. “We have grown as the year has progressed, and we have played very well together.”
Seniors Katie Lammers, Marissa Fakes, and Janelle Ilacqua as well as juniors Emma Wallen, Ariel Bryant and Neely Atkins continue to be the starters for the Copperheads. Senior Kasey Long and junior Emma Campbell rotate in during every match.
Playing at home for the Upper State title means a lot to the Copperheads.
“The players really feel the support of the fans when we are at home,” she added. “They feed off of them, and right now we are playing with a lot of confidence.”
How did other Rock Hill-area teams fare in playoffs?
The South Pointe Stallions, the runner-up in Region 3-4A, survived the opening round, but were eliminated in the second round this past Tuesday when they dropped a 3-0 decision to Pickens. That left South Pointe with a final record of 8-7.
In 5A, the Nation Ford Falcons, the Region 3-5A champions, were eliminated in the second round last Tuesday when JL Mann beat them 3-1. The Falcons completed the year with a mark of 25-12.
The Clover Blue Eagles were defeated in the second round by Mauldin by a count of 3-1. They finished the season with a record of 12-6.
The Fort Mill Yellow Jackets were knocked out of the postseason in the second round with a 3-0 loss to top-ranked Dorman. The Jackets finished the year with a record of 18-8.
In 2A, the Andrew Jackson Volunteers were winners in the second round over Chesnee by a score of 3-1. They were eliminated in the third round this past Thursday when they lost to St. Joseph’s by a score of 3-0. The Vols completed the season with a record of 15-7.
The York Prep Patriots picked up a second round win over Woodland by a count of 3-0, but they were eliminated in the third round of play when Buford toppled them 3-0. The Patriots ended the campaign with a record of 9-12.
In 1A, the Lewisville Lions, who won the Region 2-1A crown, got a first round bye. They were knocked out of the postseason this past Tuesday in the second round when they dropped a 3-1 decision to High Point Academy. The Lions finished the year with a mark of 13-3.