The first round of the GHSA State playoffs began for the NC Lady Warriors volleyball team on Thursday, October 16 as they quickly handled their opponent, sweeping the seventh-seeded Mountain View Lady Bears in three sets.

The scores of the sets were 26-24, 25-18, and 25-20.

“They came in here, had a game plan and gave us a good match. The first set just goes to show that any opponent no matter their seed can compete in playoffs,” sophomore defensive specialist Katelynn Riner said.

Junior setter Taylor Parrish began the clinching third set with unmatchable aggression. Head coach James Auld preaches serving aggressively and Parrish did just that, leading an early serving streak to help the Warriors jump out to a 11-8 lead. Senior outside hitters Abby Miller and Savanna Gonzales also came firing out the gate with two powerful kills for the first two points. Auld says the aggression helps the ladies start strong, and never look back. In this set, the Warriors led the entire way.

One significant game changing play came when senior libero Christina Matacotta dove for a ball and dug it up in the air with one hand. Parrish finished the point with a fancy fake-set that landed on the sideline. An Abby Miller ace, one that floated up then dipped instantly to hit the court, aided the Warriors in their dominance of the Lady Bears.

Communication and strong serving fostered NC’s lead the whole set. In the waning moment of the winning set, Miller served another ace to the ground, setting up the Warriors for the last point. Gonzales struck the set on the next point, propelling the Warriors to the Sweet Sixteen.

After winning a tight one 26-24 in the first set, the Lady Warriors understood their game plan in order to make the set more in their favor. Mountain View signaled for their first timeout when the score read 16-9 NC. By then, the Warriors already held the momentum in the gym. They played with explosive speed, efficiency, and anticipation. They soared through the set and excelled, especially when they took advantage of the wide-open back corners left by the Lady Bears.

The Warriors’ serving proved their strong suit, as the aces continued to pile up. An exceptional moment came when Christina Matacotta served short when there were no players within five feet of the ball. Abby Miller displayed her versatility, having to bend her body backwards to keep awkward sets in play, and still managing to force power behind her swing. The Warriors exhibited their endurance, winning the second set 25-18.

The first set turned out tighter than many believed. Auld took his first timeout late in the game when the score read 17-19, Mountain View leading. Auld called his second timeout after the Lady Bears stretched their lead to 18-21. On the ensuing serve, sophomore middle Jenna Woodruff answered the call and served the ball with precision. This proved the best time for an ace, sparking a Warrior comeback. Woodruff tied the game at 21-21 with her aggressive serving, and a key tip by junior middle Lizzy Daniel, which floated over the top of the block for the tying point.

A couple strikes by Miller, one a kill and the other a short tip, gave the Warriors the lead at 25-24, forcing Mountain View’s coach to call a timeout. With the game point on the line, Gonzales answered once again and rose with great speed to kill the ball to the back right corner. Gonzales’ kill sealed the first set win for the Warriors, 26-24.

The NC Lady Warriors advanced to their fifth straight Sweet Sixteen after defeating Mountain View. They will travel to play the top-seeded defending state champion Walton Raiders on Tuesday, October 21.