Mills River – West Henderson (27-2) won the championship over J.H. Rose (23-5)in four sets on Saturday, in N.C. State’s Reynolds Coliseum.
In a clash of regional number one seeds, Rose won the opening set (game) 25-19. But West powered from behind to win in the third match in a row. The Falcons won the next two sets by that same 25-19 score. They won the fourth set 25-20.
This is West’s first volleyball state crown since 2008, and first under 15th-year WHHS head coach Tiffany White Lowrance.
“So amazing!,” she said. “This night is so special. These girls have worked so hard in the gym. Their love and passion for this sport is unbelievable.”
Skill-wise, “Our defense was amazing Also our serving. Our connection with our hitters was awesome, too.”
Finals MVP Emma Bryson made 15 winning slams (“kills”) and four blocks. The 6-foot-3 middle blocker is committed to play for the Georgia Bulldogs.
Outside hitters Bella Baylor, a senior, and junior Marley Orr each had 11 kills. For season kill totals, Bryson made 324, Baylor and Orr surpassed 200, and junior Alena Mayberry reached 120. The Falcons’ balanced hitting attack was critical to their success.
Setter Holland Corbin, a junior, made 39 assists in the finals. Senior defensive specialist Allyson Garcia made 28 retrievals (“digs”).
Victorious Spurts
Coach Lowrance assessed what triggered West’s turnaround, after dropping the first set. “We decided to change our energy and drive. We started to believe in each other, and started to play more like a team.”
Falcon spurts proved decisive. A 10-6 run widened West’s lead from 9-8 to 19-14 in set two. Set three ended on a 7-2 spurt. In set four, the Lady Falcons again pulled away late. They trailed 14-13. An 8-3 run put them ahead 21-17, and they prevailed 25-20 to win the match and championship.
WHHS played on the same NCSU court as when finishing as the runner-up in 2014.
Baseball Falcons also defeated Rose to win a state crown – in 2023.
Regional Champs
West came from 2-1 down to win the regional finals 3-2 (25-18, 23-25, 16-25, 25-12, 15-6) over second-seeded North Iredell at home on Thursday, Nov. 1.
West surged to a 16-6 lead to win set four 25-12, then bludgeoned the Raiders 15-6 in the decisive set. Coach Lowrance beat her mentor Dave Markland. He coached her at Appalachian State.
Crushing Cougars
A pivotal test for West, which swept most foes, was in round four’s opening set in round four on Oct. 29. Fifth-seeded Jesse Carson Cougars (27-6) from China Grove won set one 26-24.
But West nearly pulled out that set, after trailing 20-13. West won six straight points, cutting the lead to 20-19. West won three points in a row to tie it at 24-24.
“We started to figure out where they were going with the ball, midway into that set,” Coach Lowrance said of the turnaround. She urged Falcons in their huddle to “dig deep” — and they did.
The comeback spurred Falcon confidence, Lowrance said. Players agreed. “We knew we could ‘take’ them,” and would win remaining sets, junior outside hitter Alena Mayberry said.
The Falcons ferociously dominated the remaining sets — by 25-14, 25-7, 25-16. They raced to huge early leads of 16-3 in set two and 21-8 in the final set.
Staredown, Grins
There were even more grins among Falcons on the court than usual, as they seized control. Leading hitter Emma Bryson once drilled a “kill” shot, then momentarily stopped and glanced at the Cougar she gave a close shave to. “I stare ‘em down,” once in a while, Bryson said.
Normally after a winning point, Bryson instantly turns to teammates to briefly celebrate. Falcon interaction after winning points was as fervent as ever, with junior Corbin and others shouting. “We’re super-charged” and eager to win and advance, Corbin said.
Beltin’ Bella
Baylor said, “We were ‘pumped’ to play” so deep into playoffs with a shot at a state title. She felt extra “excited.” It showed with some of her hardest slams ever, yet maintaining control.
Baylor had a career night with a team-most 19 kills in the four-set match. She routinely leaped high and blasted winners past Cougars. Bryson made 14 kills to match her uniform number. Orr had ten kills.
Others stepped up on that night. Corbin made spectacular running digs and crisp passes. Joelie Humiston delivered crucial serves and passes. She said she’s feeling more comfortable on the court. “She’s a — freshman!,” West student fans chanted. She pounded two early aces
in set two of the state finals.