Another championship run? Uwharrie Charter reaches regional finals

ASHEBORO — Every coach in every high school sport hopes to see his or her team peak at the right time. Building momentum late in the regular season can certainly be carried over for the postseason.

Entering Tuesday night’s 4-A East Regional championship at Uwharrie Charter Academy, the Eagles volleyball team is flying high in an attempt to repeat as regional champions and earn a berth into their second straight 4-A state title match.

After a first-round bye in the state playoffs, the Eagles continued a dominating run with straight-set wins over Nash Central in the second round, Randolph County foe Randleman in the third round and Bunn in the regional semifinals on Saturday afternoon (25-20, 25-16, 25-10) to host Carrboro for a chance at the state title.

Coupled with eight straight sweeps to end the regular season and win the Four Rivers Conference Tournament title, the Eagles had captured 33 straight sets entering play against Carrboro Tuesday night.

Saturday’s regional semifinal victory had a slight hiccup at the beginning as the Eagles were down 15-10 in the first set, but a switch was hit and UCA dominated every phase of the game from that point on to improve to 29-4 on the season.

“Super proud of them,” said veteran UCA coach Lee Kennell. “From Day 1, our goal was to be playing our best volleyball now. First and foremost, we had to get healthy. It took us a little while. But with injuries comes rhythm and volleyball is a big rhythm sport. Knowing the person next to you. We try and run a really fast tempo and it takes time to get that rhythm and connection.”

The Eagles certainly showed that connection after some early-set troubles. Caroline Way helped spark the comeback with 11 kills in the first set alone.

“It’s the playoffs, it’s anybody’s game,” said Way, who finished with 19 kills. “It’s win or go home. I feel leaving it all on the court, knowing this could be the last game is our mentality. We knew we had to battle back and win the set and I took it upon myself and did what I could. I owe a lot to the back row and to (setter Alyvia Spinks) for putting the ball where I need it.”

After the come-from-behind win in the first set, it wasn’t a contest as the Eagles’ Carly Rush, Aly Hussey, Amya Brewer, Kameron Leach, Kaylee Thomas and Spinks dominated the action.

As did senior defensive specialist Makenzie Cain, who had another spectacular defensive performance.

“Kenzie Cain has gotten better every time she steps on the court,” Kennell said. “This is a completely different Makenzie Cain. She’s playing with so much confidence. Our entire back row is playing with so much more confidence.”

UCA led 15-7 in the second before rolling to that win and then swept the Wildcats out the door with a 25-10 win in the third set. 

“Our team came in and had confidence and understood what was on the line,” Spinks said. “We had a good mindset and wanted to compete.”

Kennell said he wasn’t totally pleased with the second round win over Randleman (25-23, 25-13, 25-20), but it got them to the fourth round.

“I told them after the last round I’d much rather have an ugly win than an ugly loss,” Kennell said of that win. “It’s nice to see a pretty win, too.”

Spinks had 52 assists in that victory, Way had nine kills and Rush had six kills and 11 digs. Brewer added 11 blocks.