Dreams of a third consecutive SCISA state final appearance in volleyball came up a round short for Northside Christian Academy.

The Lady Crusaders got a first-round bye in the Class 3A Upper State bracket at the Myrtle Beach Sports Center. It then ended the first day Oct. 21 with a 3-0 over Christian Academy.

Awaiting them was state finalist nemesis Spartanburg Christian Academy. For the third consecutive year, the Lady Warriors came out on top to send the Lady Crusaders into the loser’s bracket.

Northside Christian Academy rebounded with a 2-0 (25-18, 25-20) win over Greenwood Christian to reach the semifinals. The Lady Crusaders’ season came to an end with a loss in two sets to Florence Christian School (25-16, 25-21).

The loss capped off another 6-0 season in region play for Northside Christian. It had four players – Player of the Year Reagan Funderburk, Alexa Brownell, Hadley Lindner and Haley Freeman – make All-Region and head coach Brian Elrod was selected as Coach of the Year.

“I’m terribly disappointed that we didn’t get to make a run for the final, especially for our 4 senior players,” Elrod said. “Alexa Brownell who has been like a rock for our program, and All-Region the last three years, Jenna Scrugg, who was All-Region, Mia Schumpert and Lilly Pantoja.

“I’m also devastated to lose my manager, senior Connor McGee. He’s been invaluable to me the last three years and will be headed to the state of Pennsylvania to play college volleyball next year. Even though we didn’t win the tournament or the state championship, it certainly doesn’t mean the season was a disappointment. Quite the contrary.We enjoyed every moment along the journey.”

Northside Christian returns four starters next season, including Funderburk, Lindner, Freeman, and Aaliyah McDonald.