The Nation Ford Falcons boys’ volleyball team fell to Region 3-5A leader Clover 3-0 in their hunt for a playoff spot.
The Falcons were swept 25-23, 25-20, 25-20 and are now 9-13 on the season and 4-9 in Region 3-5A. Nation Ford has an uphill climb in making the playoffs and needs to beat Fort Mill on Thursday, Oct. 17 to help their chances.
“Everything comes down to Thursday,” said Nation Ford head coach Amanda Scott. “We have to have the boys rise to the challenge. The boys hung with them (Clover). It’s tough when you know just how capable they are.”
Nation Ford started well going up early 6-2 in the first set. Clover kept within striking distance staying within two or three points, but Nation Ford slipped holding the slim lead.
That lead slipped away as Clover would tie at 15 before gaining the lead. Once the Blue Eagles gained the lead, they controlled serve more and was able to hold off a small rally by the Falcons to win by two and take a 1-0 lead.
Clover kept the momentum and started the second set going up 7-0.
Nation Ford worked their way back into the set and pulled within two at 12-10 before a Blue Eagle timeout. Clover stayed in the lead out of the timeout, despite the Falcons constantly putting pressure on them.
The Blue Eagles were able to get some momentum and go up 22-17 before a Nation Fore timeout. Shortly after the timeout, Clover won the second set to take a 2-0 lead.
The third set started out close with the two teams trading points to start. The seesaw battle in the third set continued for a lengthy time as neither were able to grab the lead consistently. Each team would take a small two-point lead periodically in the set, but only to have the other rally to tie.
After being tied at 20, Clover would score four straight points to set up match point at 24-20 forcing Nation Ford into a timeout. Clover would take the match coming out of the time out as they would improve to 11-1 in region play.
Oct. 15 Roundup
The Nation Ford girls’ tennis team beat Clover 6-0 to improve to 10-1 in Region 3-5A. They are now 10-2 overall on the season. Winning for Nation Ford was Ava Baldino 6-3, 6-2; Ansley McDonald 6-2, 6-3; Piper Land 6-2, 6-1; Eva Mabey 6-1, 6-1; Reagan Newman 6-1, 6-2; and in doubles Claire Kaltenbach and Tejal Guntuboyina 6-3, 6-2.
The Fort Mill girls’ tennis team beat Indian Land 6-0 to improve to 11-0 on the season and in Region 3-5A. Winning for Fort Mill was Emily Rimmer 6-0, 6-0; Reagan Adams 2-6, 6-2, 10-6; Kendall McCarty 6-0, 6-0; Hannah Swainey 6-1, 6-2; Justine Das 6-0, 6-0; and Abhi Nallareddy and Maddie Burcham in doubles 6-0, 6-1.
The Catawba Ridge girls’ tennis team beat Rock Hill 4-3 to improve to 6-7 overall and 5-6 in Region 3-5A. Winning for the Copperheads was Gracyn Root 6-1, 6-2; Gianna Toscano 6-3, 6-3; Skylar White 6-3, 6-0; and Root and Toscano in doubles 6-3, 6-1.
The Fort Mill girls’ volleyball team beat Indian Land 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-14) to improve to 6-5 in Region 3-5A play and 10-8 overall. The win helped to lock Fort Mill into a playoff spot.
The Fort Mill boys’ volleyball team fell to Indian Land 3-0 (25-17, 25-14, 25-14) to drop to 4-9 in Region 3-5A and 7-16 overall.
The Catawba Ridge boys’ volleyball team beat Rock Hill 3-1 (19-25, 25-7, 25-19, 25-23) to improve to 9-4 in Region 3-5A and 14-7 overall.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
