The Fort Mill girls’ volleyball team was able to hold off a rally by Rock Hill to win their first Region 3-5A match of the year.
Fort Mill beat Rock Hill 3-2 (20-25, 25-15, 26-24, 20-25, 15-12) to improve to 5-5 overall on the season and 1-2 in the region.
Fort Mill jumped out to a 5-2 start in the fifth set. Rock Hill kept it close and stayed within striking distance.
The Jackets went up 9-5 forcing Rock Hill Into a timeout. Fort Mill just seemed to get stronger out of the timeout as their clear home court advantage helped them.
The Bearcats kept things close, but down the stretch the Jackets held serve for the win.
“I think we were able to pull this out on mental toughness,” said Fort Mill head volleyball coach Makala McCrorey. “This is a brand-new team. There are a few returners from varsity and a lot of new players from JV. My goal from day one is to win the region and I still think we have a shot to do that.”
Rock Hill started strong in the first set going up 10-5. Fort Mill was able to stay close, but the Bearcats were one step ahead in keeping a comfortable lead. That lasted until Fort Mill pulled within one at 17-16 and Rock Hill took a timeout.
The rally was short lived as Rock Hill was able to again pull away and take the opening set.
Fort Mill started better in the second set jumping out to an 8-5 lead. Despite the good start, Rock Hill was able to stay close placing shots that the Jackets were unable to reach.
The Jackets slowly were able to widen the gap after a Bearcats timeout going up 21-13 before closing the set out and tying the match at one.
Rock Hill scored first to open the third set, but it was the Jackets that quickly pulled ahead at 6-3.
Fort Mill kept the momentum going up 11-8 leading to a Rock Hill timeout. The Bearcats weren’t able to reverse the momentum out of the timeout and quickly took another timeout trailing 17-11.
After their second timeout, Rock Hill roared back to pull within two at 20-18. Despite the rally, Fort Mill maintained their composure taking a timeout themselves trailing 24-23. The Jackets then came out of the timeout to grab the second set by two points and take a 2-1 advantage.
Rock Hill was able to start the fourth set with a fury going up 8-5. Fort Mill battled back tying the set at 10, before the Bearcats took a timeout.
After the timeout, the two teams traded points for several serves before Rock Hill lurched ahead to go up 20-17 leading to a Jackets timeout.
Despite forcing them into a timeout, Fort Mill wasn’t able to pull off a rally as the Bearcats took the set and tied the match at two.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
