Cardinal Gibbons, Hendersonville, Princeton, Rose Are Volleyball Champs

November 1, 2014

CARDINAL GIBBONS WINS SIXTH CONSECUTIVE TITLE N NCHSAA 3-A VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

RALEIGH— Something odd happened to Cardinal Gibbons en route to capturing the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state 3-A volleyball championship on Saturday night at Reynolds Coliseum on the N.C. State campus—the Crusaders actually lost a set.

Gibbons had lost only one set all season long and West Henderson battled the Crusaders dead even before winning the opener 28-26. But the Crusaders came back and prevailed 25-16, 25-16 and 25-18 to win their sixth consecutive NCHSAA volleyball title.

Cardinal Gibbons became the first NCHSAA school to win six volleyball championships in a row and now has a 43-1 mark in postseason volleyball play in the last nine years.

Junior Briley Brind’Amour of Gibbons was named the championship’s Most Valuable Player, as the 6-1 outside hitter had 15 kills. Sarah Nicouzi also had 15 kills for the winners while Mia Fradenburg was big with 32 digs.

Mary Catherine Ball had 10 kills for West Henderson and Rachel Kordonowy came up with 17 digs.

Cardinal Gibbons ended the season unbeaten in 27 starts. West Henderson, in the state final for the 10th time, is now 5-5 in state championship matches and the Falcons finished 27-2. West earned state titles in 1989, ’90, 2003, ‘94 and ’08, including beating Gibbons for the 2008 crown.

HENDERSONVILLE ROLLS TO NCHSAA 2-A VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

RALEIGH— Hendersonville swept past South Granville in three consecutive sets on Saturday to win the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state 2-A volleyball championship at Reynolds Coliseum on the N.C. State campus.

Led by championship Most Valuable Player Cassie Born, the Bearcats won by 25-14, had a big rally to come back and win 28-26, and then clinched it with a 25-12 triumph.

Born, a 5-10 senior, was named the championship MVP for the second consecutive year and had 13 kills along with 12 digs for the Bearcats.

Megan Fuhr was among South Granville’s leader with eight kills.

The Bearcats won their 12th state volleyball championship in 14 appearances in the final, both of which are the top marks for any NCHSAA school. Hendersonville ended the campaign with a 27-2 record and earned its third consecutive state title after winning the 1-A crown in 2012 but moving up in the new realignment and now winning twice at 2-A.

South Granville had a 16-match winning streak snapped and the Vikings finished the year at 28-4 overall. South was in the finals for the second time in the last three years.

PRINCETON EDGES EAST SURRY IN FIVE SETS IN NCHSAA 1-A VOLLEYBALL

RALEIGH— Princeton outlasted East Surry in a dramatic five-set match on Saturday afternoon in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state 1-A volleyball championship at Reynolds Coliseum on the N.C. State campus.

Princeton was red hot early, winning the first two sets by 26-24 and 25-22. Then East Surry stormed back in convincing fashion to even it with 25-15 and 25-14 victories. In the decisive fifth set, the victorious Bulldogs held a 13-8 lead, saw East Surry draw within 14-12, and then put it away for a 15-12 triumph.

Princeton senior setter Charley Cox, who had 27 assists, was named the championship Most Valuable Player. Princeton also got great play from its back row, as Jenna Woodard had 29 digs and Taylor Carroll was credited with 24 digs and 19 kills.

Kacie Markle led East Surry with 15 kills and Cheyenne Kota added 10.

Princeton, the 10th seed in the Eastern half of the draw, finished the season 22-4 and ended the season with a flourish, winning in five sets in each of its last three playoff matches. The Bulldog victory over Lakewood in the regional final came against a team that had beaten it three times. East Surry wound up 29-2

Both teams were making their initial visit to the NCHSAA state volleyball championships.

ROSE BEATS PROVIDENCE IN FOUR IN NCHSAA 4-A VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

RALEIGH— Junior outside hitter Maggie Hallow was named the Most Valuable Player as she helped Rose to a four-set victory over Charlotte Providence on Saturday afternoon in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state 4-A volleyball championship at Reynolds Coliseum on the N.C. State campus.

Hallow had 13 kills on the day as Rose won 25-14, 16-25, 25-17 and 25-16.

Caroline Kuhn contributed 17 kills as the Rampants controlled the final two sets after Providence had evened it with an impressive win in the second set.

Rose finished the season with a 26-1 mark and the Rampants won the NCHSAA state championship for the third time in four trips to the finals. Rose had back-to-back titles in 2008 and ’09 and beat previously undefeated Raleigh Broughton this year in the regional final.

Amy DeJuneas and Hannah Wheeler each had six kills for Providence, which finished at 26-3 overall.

NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

39TH ANNUAL STATE VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Reynolds Coliseum, North Carolina State University

SATURDAY'S RESULTS

CLASS AAAA CHAMPIONSHIP

Greenville J. H. Rose 3, Charlotte Providence 1 (25-14, 16-25, 25-17, 25-16)

CLASS A CHAMPIONSHIP

Princeton 3, East Surry 2 (26-24, 25-22, 15-25, 14-25, 15-12)

CLASS AAA CHAMPIONSHIP

Hendersonville 3, South Granville 0 (25-14, 28-26, 25-12)

CLASS AAA CHAMPIONSHIP