Freedom Christian volleyball claims first state title
By Jaclyn Shambaugh
Staff writer
MATTHEWS — Freedom Christian rolled over Gaston Day in straight sets Saturday to win the first NCISAA volleyball championship in program history.
It was a decisive win by the Patriots, and one the coach Wyndee Mathias said could be credited to the players’ mental toughness.
“We played with a whole lot of heart today,” Mathias said. “Our technical ability was not as high as it has been in the past few games, so we just had to keep grinding and keep working.”
The Patriots (20-6) won the 2-A title in sets of 25-22, 25-18 and 25-22 at host school Matthews Carmel Christian, completing a run powered by upsets through the playoffs.
The No. 6 seed, Freedom knocked out No. 3 Hickory Christian in the quarterfinals and No. 2 Davidson Day in the semifinal, both on the road, before upsetting top-seeded Gaston Day (22-9).
The Patriots won the first two rounds of the playoffs at home against Wayne Christian and Trinity School of Durham.
Davidson Day and Gaston Day each handed Freedom losses at a tournament in Winston-Salem in August.
Freedom ends the season on an 11-match winning streak.
Mathias said Gaston Day was as tough as the Patriots expected.
“They were getting some good strong swings in over our blockers’ heads, so we had to adjust our defense,” the coach said. “But they’re a team much like ourselves. They play a smart game. They don’t just play a hard game. They didn’t just rely on their hitters.”
This is the Patriots’ second appearance in the NCISAA final. They finished as runners- up in 2013. Freedom has reached the playoffs six times since the school became eligible for NCISAA competition in 2012.
The Patriots boasted plenty of experience this season, with nine seniors on its 12-player roster. Jasmine Wooten and Sophie Majerske, both seniors, were named to the 2-A all-state team.
Mathias said the championship came with a sense of accomplishment, not just for the title but for the quality of effort the Patriots put in to win it.
“Today, it’s sweet to get that state championship, but they checked it off the list and they are completely satisfied,” Mathias said. “They walked off the court knowing that they had played their best games these last four matches.” Staff writer Jaclyn Shambaugh can be reached at jshambaugh@fayobserver. com or 910-609-0651.
By Jaclyn Shambaugh
Staff writer
MATTHEWS — Freedom Christian rolled over Gaston Day in straight sets Saturday to win the first NCISAA volleyball championship in program history.
It was a decisive win by the Patriots, and one the coach Wyndee Mathias said could be credited to the players’ mental toughness.
“We played with a whole lot of heart today,” Mathias said. “Our technical ability was not as high as it has been in the past few games, so we just had to keep grinding and keep working.”
The Patriots (20-6) won the 2-A title in sets of 25-22, 25-18 and 25-22 at host school Matthews Carmel Christian, completing a run powered by upsets through the playoffs.
The No. 6 seed, Freedom knocked out No. 3 Hickory Christian in the quarterfinals and No. 2 Davidson Day in the semifinal, both on the road, before upsetting top-seeded Gaston Day (22-9).
The Patriots won the first two rounds of the playoffs at home against Wayne Christian and Trinity School of Durham.
Davidson Day and Gaston Day each handed Freedom losses at a tournament in Winston-Salem in August.
Freedom ends the season on an 11-match winning streak.
Mathias said Gaston Day was as tough as the Patriots expected.
“They were getting some good strong swings in over our blockers’ heads, so we had to adjust our defense,” the coach said. “But they’re a team much like ourselves. They play a smart game. They don’t just play a hard game. They didn’t just rely on their hitters.”
This is the Patriots’ second appearance in the NCISAA final. They finished as runners- up in 2013. Freedom has reached the playoffs six times since the school became eligible for NCISAA competition in 2012.
The Patriots boasted plenty of experience this season, with nine seniors on its 12-player roster. Jasmine Wooten and Sophie Majerske, both seniors, were named to the 2-A all-state team.
Mathias said the championship came with a sense of accomplishment, not just for the title but for the quality of effort the Patriots put in to win it.
“Today, it’s sweet to get that state championship, but they checked it off the list and they are completely satisfied,” Mathias said. “They walked off the court knowing that they had played their best games these last four matches.” Staff writer Jaclyn Shambaugh can be reached at jshambaugh@fayobserver. com or 910-609-0651.
