Flyers’ Winning Streak Snapped in Five-Set Thriller Against Caldwell Tech

In a showdown between two of the top teams in the region, the 4th-ranked Sandhills Community College Flyers faced off against the 11th-ranked Caldwell Technical Community College Cobras Monday night at home in the Hangar.

The match went the distance, with five hard-fought sets. The Cobras emerged victorious, defeating the Flyers 3-2 (25-20, 15-25, 21-25, 25-13, 15-17). The loss snapped Sandhills' 16-game winning streak, dropping their record to 25-5 overall and 6-1 in Region 10 play.

Sophomore Lainey Mullins reached a career milestone during the match, recording her 1,000th dig. She now sits at 1,030 career digs for the Flyers.

The Cobras started strong in the opening set, taking an early 7-3 lead. However, the Flyers battled back, going on a 12-8 run to tie the set at 15-15. Sandhills took their first lead of the night at 19-18, and with momentum on their side, they closed the set with a 5-0 run to claim a 1-0 lead.

Caldwell responded in the second set, once again jumping out to a 7-3 advantage, but this time, they maintained control. They extended their lead to 12-4 and finished the set 25-15, tying the match at 1-1.

The third set was a tightly contested battle, with both teams trading points and tying at 13-13. Sandhills edged ahead 16-15, but Caldwell regained the lead at 22-20 and held off a late Flyers push to win the set 25-21 and take a 2-1 lead.

The Flyers came out strong in the fourth set, quickly building a 6-1 lead and extending it to 15-8. They held off the Cobras, winning the set 25-13 and forcing a deciding fifth set.

In the final set, Caldwell jumped to an 8-3 lead, but the Flyers clawed their way back, trimming the deficit to 12-8. Sandhills pulled within one point at 13-12, and a crucial kill from Cassidy Jewett tied the score at 13-13. However, the Cobras held on and closed out the set 17-15 to secure the win.

Game Stats:

• Kills: Kristin Dodds 13, Katelyn Bunting 12, Caroline Bradford 11
• Digs: Lainey Mullins 38, Caroline Bradford 13, Nikki Lambert 11
• Assists: Sydney Garner 26, Zoey Hall 11, Mariana Clayton 7
• Blocks: Cassidy Jewett 6, Kristin Dodds 5, Caroline Bradford 1

The Flyers will return to action at home on Thursday at 6 p.m., hosting Wake Tech Community College in a non-conference matchup.

Z. Ciboth