Congratulations are in order for West Iredell's volleyball team.
The Warriors defeated a very talented Enka squad in the 3A Western Regional final on Tuesday night to advance to the state championship.
Showing poise and determination, West ousted Enka 3-0 (25-21, 30-28, 26-24). The Warriors saved two game points in the second game and three in the third to prevail in both. It was incredible.
I won't be surprised at all if West (28-5) brings back the school's first state championship on Saturday.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Iredell's state title contenders are ...
We’re getting very close to the postseason for all minor sports. Iredell has several teams capable of making the deepest of playoff runs.
The following are my top-five picks from the county to win an NCHSAA state championship this fall (No. 1 being the most likely):
No. 5: North Iredell’s volleyball team
The Raiders boast plenty of talent. Stephanie Bennett, Taylor Clendenin and Molly Rhyne are solid at the net. Anna Wells is a quality setter. North Iredell’s serve receive and defense has to improve, though, in order to reach the final.
No. 4: Lake Norman's girls cross country team
The Wildcats returned three of their top four runners from last year’s squad. Alexa Van Epern, Kaitlyn Ferguson and Jessica Fedorka helped garner a ninth-place finish at the 2006 3A state championship meet. Lake Norman added two strong freshmen, who are running productively this season. Asheville T.C. Roberson will be favored to capture the title.
No. 3: West Iredell's volleyball team
The Warriors have been a consistent contender for almost an eternity now. They’ve advanced to the regional final four times in the last 10 years and made one state championship appearance. West Iredell might not be quite as good as last year, when it probably should’ve won the title. (West blew a healthy lead late in the fifth game of its third-round playoff match and lost to eventual champion Southwest Guilford). Seniors Marrissa Church, Megan Courson and Bria James lead another gifted lineup. No doubt, the Warriors have a shot to claim that elusive championship.
No. 2: Lake Norman’s boys soccer team
The Wildcats have given us no reason yet to believe they won’t win their second straight 3A state championship. They’ve won all of their games this season, most of them handily. Last week, top-ranked Lake Norman triumphed 2-1 on the road at perennial power Charlotte Catholic, currently ranked second. The Wildcats rallied to do it. Pretty impressive stuff. Lake Norman is skilled at every position. Highlighting a savvy cast of players is forward Matt Foxx, midfielder Ryan Mertes and defender Matt Gwilt. Lake Norman will be a tough out in the playoffs. That’s for sure.
No. 1: Mooresville’s boys cross country team
If the Blue Devils’ top seven runners stay injury-free, Mooresville will repeat, and it won’t even be close. Without question, they’re built for another 3A state championship run. Last weekend, they competed in the McDonald’s Invitational in Richmond, Va. Mooresville placed ninth in a field featuring 21 of the Southeast’s top teams. Patrick Campbell led the way, clocking in at 15 minutes, 44 seconds -- good enough for fourth place. Josh Cox, Nathan Craig, Chase Martin, Joseph Newman, and Graham and Jordan Sledge are strong as well and probably make Mooresville too talented to overcome this November.
Blue Devils will go back-to-back.
The following are my top-five picks from the county to win an NCHSAA state championship this fall (No. 1 being the most likely):
No. 5: North Iredell’s volleyball team
The Raiders boast plenty of talent. Stephanie Bennett, Taylor Clendenin and Molly Rhyne are solid at the net. Anna Wells is a quality setter. North Iredell’s serve receive and defense has to improve, though, in order to reach the final.
No. 4: Lake Norman's girls cross country team
The Wildcats returned three of their top four runners from last year’s squad. Alexa Van Epern, Kaitlyn Ferguson and Jessica Fedorka helped garner a ninth-place finish at the 2006 3A state championship meet. Lake Norman added two strong freshmen, who are running productively this season. Asheville T.C. Roberson will be favored to capture the title.
No. 3: West Iredell's volleyball team
The Warriors have been a consistent contender for almost an eternity now. They’ve advanced to the regional final four times in the last 10 years and made one state championship appearance. West Iredell might not be quite as good as last year, when it probably should’ve won the title. (West blew a healthy lead late in the fifth game of its third-round playoff match and lost to eventual champion Southwest Guilford). Seniors Marrissa Church, Megan Courson and Bria James lead another gifted lineup. No doubt, the Warriors have a shot to claim that elusive championship.
No. 2: Lake Norman’s boys soccer team
The Wildcats have given us no reason yet to believe they won’t win their second straight 3A state championship. They’ve won all of their games this season, most of them handily. Last week, top-ranked Lake Norman triumphed 2-1 on the road at perennial power Charlotte Catholic, currently ranked second. The Wildcats rallied to do it. Pretty impressive stuff. Lake Norman is skilled at every position. Highlighting a savvy cast of players is forward Matt Foxx, midfielder Ryan Mertes and defender Matt Gwilt. Lake Norman will be a tough out in the playoffs. That’s for sure.
No. 1: Mooresville’s boys cross country team
If the Blue Devils’ top seven runners stay injury-free, Mooresville will repeat, and it won’t even be close. Without question, they’re built for another 3A state championship run. Last weekend, they competed in the McDonald’s Invitational in Richmond, Va. Mooresville placed ninth in a field featuring 21 of the Southeast’s top teams. Patrick Campbell led the way, clocking in at 15 minutes, 44 seconds -- good enough for fourth place. Josh Cox, Nathan Craig, Chase Martin, Joseph Newman, and Graham and Jordan Sledge are strong as well and probably make Mooresville too talented to overcome this November.
Blue Devils will go back-to-back.
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