Coastal Christian volleyball erases two-set deficit, rallies for program's first state title
Jackson Fuller Wilmington StarNews
Coastal Christian's dreams of a state title looked bleak through two sets against Asheville Christian Academy.
But with their backs against the wall, Coastal Christian's senior leaders made a memory that will last a lifetime.
The Centurions (31-2) erased a two-set deficit Saturday, rallying for a thrilling 3-2 (23-25, 19-25, 25-14, 25-15, 15-10) win over the Lions to clinch the program's first state championship. In front of a racous crowd, Coastal Christian's seven seniors completed an undefeated career inside their home gymnasium, lifting the elusive NCISAA 3A state championship trophy in their final game.
"You always want to win in three, but the ones you remember are the ones that go five," Coastal Christian head coach Dudley Raye said. "Because they love each other so much, this means so much more."
Raye said he had no doubts that his team would come back, even down 2-0, but the Centurions were definitely shaken by Asheville Christian Academy (ACA) early in the match.
The Lions erased a 22-18 deficit in the first set and won 25-23 to go up 1-0. Coastal Christian had seven service errors in the opening set, and ACA rode that mometum to a easy win in set two.
Coastal Christian lacked any momentum, but the mental edge flipped as soon as the third set got underway. The Centurions opened up an early 10-5 lead, and they went on an 8-0 run with senior Mallorie Moore serving. Florida Gulf Coast Kelly McConekey had five of her match-high 19 kills in the set, and Coastal Christian all of a sudden had some life.
"I think the games that stick out the most to me with this team are the ones that go five, and we're always down by two at the beginning," McConekey said.
The third set followed a familiar theme, with Coastal Christian jumping out to an early lead and not looking back. UNC-Asheville commit Lydia Pate powered the Centurions with six of her 11 kills in the frame, and the match headed to a fifth set.
Another senior, Kora Beth Witzenman, took over in the final frame. Witzenman floats between setter and opposite hitter, and she was a dominant force at the net when Coastal Christian needed it most.
Witzenman racked was responsible for Coastal Christian's first three pointsand produced four kills and three aces in the fifth set. It was her serve that put ACA on its heels and allowed McConekey to come up with the game-winning block that sealed the championship.
"I think that from the third and fourth set, we had a lot of momentum going," Witzenman said. "I just felt like I had to really fight to win, and I took it to the ball and got some points."
Witzenman finished the match with nine kills, 19 assists and three blocks. Junior Maris Grant led Coastal Christian with 25 assists.
When the final point hit the floor, Coastal Christian's student-section rushed the court to celebrate with its heroes. Tears immediatley streamed down the faces of McConekey and most of her teammates.
For Coastal Christian, this was the exclamation point to a four-year process. The Centurions have had quality teams that have reached the deep stages of the playoffs, but they haven't been able to get over the hump.
The final hurdle has been cleared, and an emphatic statement made in the process.
"This is all we've wanted since our freshman year," Witzenman said. "It's the best team in Coastal Christian history, and I'm just happy to be a part of it."
Jackson Fuller Wilmington StarNews
Coastal Christian's dreams of a state title looked bleak through two sets against Asheville Christian Academy.
But with their backs against the wall, Coastal Christian's senior leaders made a memory that will last a lifetime.
The Centurions (31-2) erased a two-set deficit Saturday, rallying for a thrilling 3-2 (23-25, 19-25, 25-14, 25-15, 15-10) win over the Lions to clinch the program's first state championship. In front of a racous crowd, Coastal Christian's seven seniors completed an undefeated career inside their home gymnasium, lifting the elusive NCISAA 3A state championship trophy in their final game.
"You always want to win in three, but the ones you remember are the ones that go five," Coastal Christian head coach Dudley Raye said. "Because they love each other so much, this means so much more."
Raye said he had no doubts that his team would come back, even down 2-0, but the Centurions were definitely shaken by Asheville Christian Academy (ACA) early in the match.
The Lions erased a 22-18 deficit in the first set and won 25-23 to go up 1-0. Coastal Christian had seven service errors in the opening set, and ACA rode that mometum to a easy win in set two.
Coastal Christian lacked any momentum, but the mental edge flipped as soon as the third set got underway. The Centurions opened up an early 10-5 lead, and they went on an 8-0 run with senior Mallorie Moore serving. Florida Gulf Coast Kelly McConekey had five of her match-high 19 kills in the set, and Coastal Christian all of a sudden had some life.
"I think the games that stick out the most to me with this team are the ones that go five, and we're always down by two at the beginning," McConekey said.
The third set followed a familiar theme, with Coastal Christian jumping out to an early lead and not looking back. UNC-Asheville commit Lydia Pate powered the Centurions with six of her 11 kills in the frame, and the match headed to a fifth set.
Another senior, Kora Beth Witzenman, took over in the final frame. Witzenman floats between setter and opposite hitter, and she was a dominant force at the net when Coastal Christian needed it most.
Witzenman racked was responsible for Coastal Christian's first three pointsand produced four kills and three aces in the fifth set. It was her serve that put ACA on its heels and allowed McConekey to come up with the game-winning block that sealed the championship.
"I think that from the third and fourth set, we had a lot of momentum going," Witzenman said. "I just felt like I had to really fight to win, and I took it to the ball and got some points."
Witzenman finished the match with nine kills, 19 assists and three blocks. Junior Maris Grant led Coastal Christian with 25 assists.
When the final point hit the floor, Coastal Christian's student-section rushed the court to celebrate with its heroes. Tears immediatley streamed down the faces of McConekey and most of her teammates.
For Coastal Christian, this was the exclamation point to a four-year process. The Centurions have had quality teams that have reached the deep stages of the playoffs, but they haven't been able to get over the hump.
The final hurdle has been cleared, and an emphatic statement made in the process.
"This is all we've wanted since our freshman year," Witzenman said. "It's the best team in Coastal Christian history, and I'm just happy to be a part of it."
