Playing the Best

We just want to play the best of the best and just try to keep getting better every time we get out there.”

Northside Christian Academy head volleyball coach Brian Elrod

Northside Christian Academy
4347 Sunset Blvd.
Lexington, SC 29072
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There was plenty of competition Monday for the Northside Christian Academy volleyball team.

Both SCISA Class 2A title game nemesis Spartanburg Christian Academy and crosstown S.C. High School League Class 5A foe Lexington paid a visit to the Lady Crusaders. For head coach Brian Elrod, it was an opportunity for his team to further improve themselves as championship contenders against the likes of the Lady Warriors and Lady Wildcats.

While Northside Christian were on the losing end of two-set matches with Spartanburg Christian (20-25, 14-25) and Lexington (17-25, 22-25), Elrod believes these non-region matches will make them “as ready as they can be” for region play and motivate them to play “at a higher level”.

“Two incredible teams,” Elrod said. “We just want to play the best of the best and just try to keep getting better every time we get out there.

“Playing against teams that are going to challenge us. Teams that hit hard, that are well-coached, they're going to be in the right spot, they're going to make sure that we’re in the right spot and they’re hopefully going to expose any kinds of weaknesses that we have that we need to work on.”

Lexington head coach Eric Shick was not as pleased with his team’s effort despite sweeping Spartanburg Christian (25-23, 25-21) and Northside Christian. He called it “the worst” his team has played this season as it looks to replace All-State outside hitter Halle Michael.

The Lady Wildcats trailed as many as five points to the Lady Crusaders in the second set before rallying to close the match with three straight wins.

“We’ve got to set our bar and play at that level,” he said. “It’s something we’ve got work on.”

The Lady Wildcats will have five more non-region matches Sept. 8 at home against North Myrtle Beach and Mauldin and play in a tournament at Hillcrest Sept. 10.

Gilbert 3, Lower Richland 0  (25-11, 25-9,  25-9)

The Lady Indians opened defense of their Region 5-3A title with a three-set win over the Lady Diamond-Hornets.

Gilbert (5-4-1, 1-0) plays host to Swansea Sept. 8.