Lee Christian sweeps Kerr-Vance to win first volleyball state title
By J. Mike Blake, HighSchoolOT Contributor
HENDERSON, N.C. — For the last two years, Lee Christian's volleyball team was eliminated in the postseason by Kerr-Vance Academy. Five seniors — making up half of the Falcons' team — were determined to not let that happen again.
For the first time in school history, Lee Christian has won the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 1A volleyball state championship. The Falcons beat Kerr-Vance Academy in straight sets on Saturday afternoon, 25-19, 25-17, 25-19.
In the first set, Lee Christian took an early lead as it leaned on its defense, led by sophomore libero Emma Grace Dubuc, which managed to keep almost everything off the ground. Kerr-Vance Academy's play at the net allowed it to rally, but Lee Christian pulled away later in the set, 25-19.
Lee Christian picked up where it left off in the second set, opening up an 11-7 lead, forcing Kerr-Vance Academy to take a timeout. The Falcons went on to win the second set 25-17.
Senior setter Taylor Draughn was a major reason why. She engineered the Falcons offense, assisting her teammates and taking advantage of holes in the Kerr-Vance defense with timely tips.
Things got dramatic in the third set, as the Spartans' height at the net was capitalized on by Cheyenne Owen and Blaire Boyd, among others.
Kerr-Vance built a 10-8 lead, but then the teams traded points. Tied at 18-18, Lee Christian reeled off three points in a row to take a 21-18 lead and force Kerr-Vance to take a timeout.
Lee Christian went on to win the last set 25-19, completing the sweep on the road at Kerr-Vance Academy.
Saturday's win marks the first volleyball state championship for Lee Christian, which finishes the season with a 15-1 record. Kerr-Vance Academy ends the year with a record of 13-2.
By J. Mike Blake, HighSchoolOT Contributor
HENDERSON, N.C. — For the last two years, Lee Christian's volleyball team was eliminated in the postseason by Kerr-Vance Academy. Five seniors — making up half of the Falcons' team — were determined to not let that happen again.
For the first time in school history, Lee Christian has won the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 1A volleyball state championship. The Falcons beat Kerr-Vance Academy in straight sets on Saturday afternoon, 25-19, 25-17, 25-19.
In the first set, Lee Christian took an early lead as it leaned on its defense, led by sophomore libero Emma Grace Dubuc, which managed to keep almost everything off the ground. Kerr-Vance Academy's play at the net allowed it to rally, but Lee Christian pulled away later in the set, 25-19.
Lee Christian picked up where it left off in the second set, opening up an 11-7 lead, forcing Kerr-Vance Academy to take a timeout. The Falcons went on to win the second set 25-17.
Senior setter Taylor Draughn was a major reason why. She engineered the Falcons offense, assisting her teammates and taking advantage of holes in the Kerr-Vance defense with timely tips.
Things got dramatic in the third set, as the Spartans' height at the net was capitalized on by Cheyenne Owen and Blaire Boyd, among others.
Kerr-Vance built a 10-8 lead, but then the teams traded points. Tied at 18-18, Lee Christian reeled off three points in a row to take a 21-18 lead and force Kerr-Vance to take a timeout.
Lee Christian went on to win the last set 25-19, completing the sweep on the road at Kerr-Vance Academy.
Saturday's win marks the first volleyball state championship for Lee Christian, which finishes the season with a 15-1 record. Kerr-Vance Academy ends the year with a record of 13-2.
