Lady Flyers Close Out Invitational on a High Note
Missing two starting players, the Sandhills Community College volleyball team received contributions from all around and defeated USC Sumter 25-23, 27-25, 21-25 and 25-15 in the final match of the Flyers Invitational on Saturday afternoon.
Sidelined by sprained ankles, middle hitter, Keke Lawrence, a 2021 NJCAA All American, and freshman setter Lannah Huneycutt, looked on as the Lady Flyers improved to 3-4 after winning one of their three matches at the two-day, four-team event.
Filling in for Huneycutt, freshman Alexis Hinson was credited with 34 assists, 18 digs and five kills. Up front, sophomore MacKenzie Swett and freshman Ny'Asia McKinnon combined for nine kills and four block solos, covering for Lawrence.
Coach Alicia Riggan's squad continues its challenging early-season schedule against upper division teams when it travels to Thomasville to face Davidson-Davie CC (3-1) at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
"I just told them that we're so close and when we figure it out we're going to be tough to beat," Riggan said afterward. "It's the nature of where we are in the season, a lot of people trying to figure out their places.
"I've got two of my starters on the sidelines and people playing out of position right now. I'm proud of the girls for stepping up. We needed that win today."
In Saturday's other match, Surry CC swept Johnson and Wales to finish 3-0 in the tournament while improving to 5-0 on the season.
A win at the net by McKinnon, provided the key 24th point as the Lady Flyers eked out the first set win against the Fire Ants. Trailing 23-18 late in the second, a strong finish at the net by Swett tied it at 24-24. Moments later, a kill by Olivia Barlowe, off a set by Hinson, gave the home team a 2-0 lead.
"With our setter down, I knew I had to step up and do the best I can do," Hinson, a Fairmont High School grad said. "I still have a lot to learn."
Said, Riggan, "I'm really proud of Alexis for being ready and stepping up to the challenge."
The visitors led most of the way in taking the third set, but a kill by freshman Alyssa Maragelis gave the Lady Flyers an early 2-1 lead in the fourth that they never relinquished in closing out the match.
Led by the strong sophomore presence of L'Asia Jackson, 26 digs, and Abby Quick, 15 digs, in the back, the Lady Flyers were credited with 111 digs, one of the highest totals for a four-set match in the history of the program. In addition to Hinson, others in double figures in digs also included Barlowe, 15, Dajsha Fields, 11 and Madison Brower, 10.
Jackson is one of the early season leaders in Division III in digs per set. She and Quick are also effective servers, combing for 18 aces against only four service errors in the team's six matches.
"I feel like we are going to rally for 3, 4, or 5 points off of them, " Riggan said of their skill at the service line. "They are very confident and aggressive."
According to Quick, the team was feeling kind of down after losing both of their matches on Friday.
"We do have a young team," the product of Scotland County High School said. "I think each game we're feeling more confident together so this win is definitely going to push us to get another one next week."
In addition to Wednesday's match, another busy week includes a tournament at Bryant and Stratton College (VA) on Friday and Saturday.
"I'm excited about where we are right now," Riggan said. "I tell the girls it's a marathon not a sprint, and the goal is to get to October and be in our prime."
C. Bergmann