The Mathews High School varsity volleyball team claimed the Conference 42 title with a win over West Point last Wednesday night at home. Following a win in the first round of regional play Monday against Cumberland, the girls advanced to last night’s regional semifinal game against Northumberland.
Results from Wednesday’s game were not available at press time. If Mathews wins that contest, the Lady Devils will either travel to Altavista or host West Point today in the regional championships. A win last night would also mean Mathews will have secured a berth in the state tournament.
West Point game
In last Wednesday’s contest against West Point, both teams entered the conference championship with 5-1 records, with the two teams having split contsts during the regular season.
With the Pointers minus one key player who was out with an injury, Mathews was able to win the championship game somewhat easily in three sets by scores of 25-5, 25-16 and 25-20. Kai McCann and Morgan Driskell led Mathews in kills with nine each, followed by Anne Stewart with four, while Brittany Mitchem, Sophia Bandurco and Belle Massimino each had one. Bandurco led in assists with 19 while Mariah Robinson and Massimino each had one.
Keely Crittenden led in digs with 18 followed by McCann with 11, Bandurco with nine, Massimino with seven, Robinson with five, Mitchem and Driskell with three each, and Allison Foster with two. Massimino served four aces in the match while Crittenden served two and McCann served one.
Cumberland game
Both teams advanced to regional play, which began Monday night. Mathews, the #3 seed, hosted the # 6 seed, Cumberland, while West Point, the #5 seed, traveled to #4 seed Northampton.
The Lady Devils came out strong in Monday’s regional quarterfinal, winning both the first and second sets by identical 25-15 margins. They struggled early in the third set, failing to stay in proper rotation and execute basic plays. Mathews trailed for more than half of the set until they were able to come back and even the score at 16 before finally taking the set, and the match, 25-18.
McCann again led the team in kills with 14 followed by Stewart with 10, Robinson with six, Driskell with four, Mitchem with two, and Bandurco, Crittenden and Massimino with one each. Bandurco had 36 of the 37 assists in the match; Robinson had the other.
Leading in digs was Crittenden with 12, followed by McCann with nine, Bandurco, Robinson and Massimino with three each, Foster with two, and Josey Bauby and Mitchem with one each. Aces were served by Crittenden (three), McCann (two), Massimino (two) and Robinson (one).