FALL SPORTS

The non-region schedule for the Gray Collegiate Academy volleyball team was made difficult by design.

Facing teams in Classes 4A and 5A might have hurt the Lady War Eagles’ overall record in the short team. They owned an 11-15 overall record following a 3-set victory over Irmo on Oct. 3.

According to head coach Catherine Wrightener, the challenging contests are part of a beneficial long-term goal.

“We’re looking to reach the next level,” she said. “Obviously, we’re playing in a lot of tournaments and also scheduling matches with 4A, 5A schools so that will best prepare us for post-season play. As we head into the playoffs, obviously we know competition is going to get a little bit stiffer as we head into the first, second and third round. So we want to make sure that we are at the best point we can be heading into the post-season.

Wrightener’s scheduling strategy has paid off in region play. Gray Collegiate enters Thursday’s contest at Columbia with a 5-0 record in Region 3-2A with three matches remaining.

A year after losing to perennial Class 2A champion St. Joseph’s in the Upper State final, Gray Collegiate will look to reach its state title goals through the Lower State.

Looking to lead the way are seniors middle hitter Emma Bright and outside hitter Kinzie White and sophomore setter Caylen Samuel.

VOLLEYBALL

Gilbert wins region title

The Lady Indians defeated Edisto 3-0 (25-5, 25-14, 25-7) this past Mondy to claim the Region 5-3A title. Ashleigh Dorgan and Taylor McLain each had 5 ace serves, Carlee Jones had 4 kills and Hannah McDowell had 4 kills for the Lady Indians (15-2, 7-0).

(Oct. 4 matches)

Gilbert 3, Pelion 0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-19)

Chidera Wilson had 9 kills and 4 ace serves, Courtney Price had 7 kills and Hannah McDowell had 4 ace serves and 35 assists for the Lady Indians.

Lexington 3, Dutch Fork 0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-22)

Maggie Salley had 16 kills and 2 aces while Phoebe had 4 kills and 6 aces to lead the third-ranked Lady Wildcats (28-7, 5-0).

River Bluff 3, Chapin 0 (25-10, 25-22, 25-12)

TENNIS

(Oct. 4 Matches)

Dutch Fork 5 Lexington 1

SINGLES

Megan Barkley (DF) def. Becca Bryan (L) 6-1, 6-0

Emmie Thompson (L) def. Nicki Joch (DF) 6-2, 6-4

Celine Robinson (DF) def. Reet Verma (L) 6-3, 6-4

Daniela Bakker (DF) def. Caroline Goodman (L) 6-2, 6-3

Lindsey Kirtley (DF) def. Emma Whetsell (L) 4-6, 6-3, 10-7

DOUBLES

Aniya Sims & Adriana VanDam (DF)

d. Rohita Patil & Emma Taylor (L) 6-2, 6-2.

Gilbert 6, River Bluff 0

GOLF

Lexington wins Pink Out

The Lexington HIgh School golf team claimed the 12th annual Smith Memorial in Newberry on Oct. 2.

The Lady Wildcats shot a score of 8-over-par 296 to defeat second-place Boiling Springs by 16 strokes. Gilbert

(339) finished in fifth place, Chapin

(357) was tied for seventh and host team River Bluff (361) finished in ninth.

Molly Hardwick finished in first place by one stroke with a score of -4. Lexington teammate Isabella Rawl (-1) was tied for 4th, followed by Karlee Vardees (+1) who was tied for 6th, Gilbert’s Kennedy Gooding and Chap-in’s Emily Baker (+2) who tied for 8th place.

Gilbert headed to Lower State

The Gilbert golf team finished a 12-0 regular season with wins over Class 5A schools River Bluff, Dutch Fork and Chapin.

The Lady Indians will compete in the Class 3A Lower State tournament at Cheraw State Park Monday.

SWIMMING

Hardy wins gold

J.J. Hardy of Lexington High School won the Class 5A 100-yard butterfly at the S.C. High School League Swimming championships at the Natatorium this past Saturday.

Lexington placed 17th overall in the boys’ meet won by Wando. Chapin was the highest Chronicle Country team to finish in 6th placed, with River Bluff 11th, Irmo 16th and Dutch Fork 24th.

Wando also won the Class 5A girls’ yiylr, with River Bluff tying with Wade Hampton for 9th, followed by Chapin and Irmo (tied for 18th) and Dutch-Fork (29th).

Brookland-Cayce was tied for 15th place in both Class 4A girls’ and boys’.