Lady Flyers Sweep the Titans for First Win

Idled for almost two weeks by COVID protocols, the Sandhills Community College volleyball team swept Guilford Tech 25-22, 25-19 and 25-21 for its first win of the season in Jamestown on Thursday.

Led by freshman Lexi Allen with 18 kills, 11 digs and three service aces, the Lady Flyers take a record of 1-3 into two matches on Saturday in Charlotte against USC Lancaster (2 pm) and the host school, Johnson and Wales (4 pm). The Titans dropped to 0-4 with the loss.

"We needed this win, coming off a two-week break after being 0-3," Coach Alicia Riggan said afterward. "Lexi was a dominating force tonight and we rode on her back a little bit.

"Our first time practicing was on Monday, and Cam (Lowe) was out, so I think the girls were back to those first game jitters. We have two tough matches coming up this weekend."

Freshman Kaitlyn Locklear filled in for Lowe, a two-year starter and a second team All-Region 10 selection last season, as the setter. The Purnell Swett grad set up Allen twice, and Kayla Sadowski for the final point, as the Flyers overcame a 20-19 deficit to capture the first set.

Tied at 13-13 in the second, a kill by freshman Savanna Lowery started a run of seven points in a row that was capped by consecutive service aces from Locklear.

The Lady Flyers trailed 20-19 again in the third set before taking command on three more kills by Allen. The final point came on a kill by middle hitter MacKenzie Swett that was set up by Locklear.

"I had to get myself warmed up," Allen, a product of Pinecrest High School, said of her strong finish to the match. "I'm not sure what it was at the beginning, but I figured it out toward the end.

"We were so excited to get back in the gym and come away with a "dub" (W). It felt really good."

Other statistical leaders for the winners included Locklear with 28 assists, libero Abby Quick with 18 digs and libero Shelby Hull with three aces.

"I was nervous, but I knew I had to step up for my team," Locklear said after a steady performance. "It was a great opportunity to help me be a leader."

After losing their first three matches of the season at the Surry Invitational on August 20-21, the Lady Flyers had to postpone a total of eight matches, including four last weekend at the Owens Invitational in Perrysburg, OH. They did not resume practicing until Monday of this week.

Riggan's squad is not scheduled to play its first regular season home matches until Saturday, September 18 when they host both Rockingham CC and Southwest Virginia. Lowe and right/side Mya Mallard are the only sophomores among the 14 team members.

"Tonight was a great opportunity to get the kinks out," the coach said. "Everybody got an opportunity to play and we had people in different positions to help figure out our best rotations."

C. Bergmann