Flyers Tame Cougars and Cobras to Win Region 10 Title

The Sandhills Community College Flyers clinched the 2024 Region 10 Championship on Saturday at Caldwell Community College, sweeping the Central Carolina Community College Cougars in the semifinals (3-0) and then defeating the Caldwell Tech Community College Cobras in a hard-fought final (3-1). With this victory, the Flyers advance to the mid-Atlantic district round, moving one step closer to another National Championship Tournament berth.

Before taking the court, five Flyers were honored with spots on the All-Region team. First Team selections included Kristen Dodds, Caroline Bradford, and Lainey Mullins, while Katelyn Bunting and Cassidy Jewett made the Second Team. Head coach Alicia Riggan praised the group: "So proud of our team for showing grit, heart, and resilience to take home the regional title! This win is a testament to your hard work and dedication. But we're not done yet—the postseason is here, and we're just getting started. Let's keep pushing, keep fighting, and keep this momentum going!"

The Flyers dominated the semifinal against Central Carolina with scores of 25-17, 25-8, and 25-10. An aggressive offensive set the tone, highlighted by Dodds's 10 kills, with Braford and Bunting adding 7 each. Mullins anchored the defense with 11 digs, while Hall and Clayton contributed 9 apiece. Dodds also led with three blocks. Reflecting on her experience, Dodds shared, "The biggest learning moment for me was building myself up day by day with the support of my teammates and coaches. This experience helped me grow both as a teammate and as an individual. We promised one another that we would fight until the end and never give up, and that determination led us to victory."

In the championship match, the Flyers rallied from a 16-25 first-set loss to win the next three sets (25-19, 27-25, 25-18). Setter Zoey Hall described the team's camaraderie: "I would describe the support within our team as a sisterhood. After that first set, we knew we had each other's backs and got on the same page. Knowing we all have high expectations for one another adds to the chemistry we've built."

In Game 2, Bradford led with 13 kills, with Dodds and Jewett close behind. Sydney Garner directed the offense with 22 assists, while Mullins led defensively with 21 digs. Braford, who contributed five blocks, reflected on her team's resilience: "After we lost the first set, I knew we were winning the game. We had a great talk between sets; everyone was hyped up and ready to go. We work so hard, so I knew we were going home with a championship win."

Jewett attributed the team's success to mental preparation and positive mindset: "We arrived at Caldwell with a singular goal, practicing positive self-talk to gain a winning mindset before we even stepped on the court. When it was game time, we all knew we had something to prove. This mindset and our support for each other were electric!"

Mullins shared how the team's shared purpose kept them motivated: "I focused on my team working together to achieve a goal we've all worked so hard for. This mindset helped me really focus on playing my best for my team."

Bunting highlighted the team's support, saying, "My biggest learning moment would be discovering confidence in my teammates. Yesterday, my block was not great in the first set, but I knew my teammates would be there for me. That helped me get back in my groove for the last three sets. Without them, I probably would've struggled for the whole game."

The Flyers will now face the Region 20 champion next Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Hanger, continuing their journey with sights set on the national tournament.

Z. Ciboth