Volleyball action is ramping up with teams from Lexington County beginning the region season portion of their schedules. 

Region competitions mean significantly more to a team’s postseason chances as playoff seeding is determined by where a team places in its region standings. 

A few local volleyball teams have been engaged in region competition for two weeks. Airport, Brookland-Cayce, Gilbert and Gray Collegiate have all played four region games entering this week. 

Gray is 3-1 in region games after defeating Midland Valley, Brokland-Cayce and Airport.  All three of those teams enter this week a combined 2-10 in region play. The War Eagles will see all three of them again but will also have to play the region's top teams, Aiken and South Aiken, twice. 

The War Eagles defeated the Eagles and Bearcats last week while also participating in a weekend tournament, where the team went 3-1-1. The War Eagles are led by a balanced group, including Kyah Shephard, Weslen McDowell and Alaina Timmerman, who all lead Gray in at least one major statistical category. 

Gilbert is 2-2 in the early phases of region play. The Indians lost close matches to Aiken and South Aiken, dropping both three sets to two. Their wins came over Midland Valley and North Augusta and were also close matches, winning those three sets to two. 

Airport and Brookland-Cayce have not had strong starts to their region season. Both teams are winless after playing some tough competition early. 

The Eagles began their region games against Aiken and South Aiken before playing Gray Collegiate and Midland Valley last week. The Bearcats played those same four teams but lost to Aiken and Gray last week. Brookland-Cayce has struggled in recent games, with its last win coming at the end of August. Airport got in the win column last week defeating Pelion for its second overall win this season. 

For all the other teams in the county, region games begin this week. 

Lexington, River Bluff and Chapin all went above .500 in their out-of-conference games. The region contests will be a real test for these teams as they determine who the best of the group is. 

River Bluff entered the week 20-7-0, Lexington was 13-5 and Chapin was 6-4.  Dutch Fork, Irmo and White Knoll will look to turn their fortunes around after a sluggish start to the season. 

Pelion and Batesburg-Leesville begin 2A conference play on the road this week with games at Ninety Six, Saluda, Silver Bluff and Fox Creek. The two Panthers teams are set to face each other next week at Batesburg-Leesville. 

Swansea is still looking for its first win this season after getting out to a 0-7 start, including a loss to Keenan in its first region contest. 

Northside Christian is back in region action this week after playing a few non-region games against Lexington County schools last week. The Crusaders were set to host Cardinal Newman for their first of two meetings. 

Last week’s big performances

Jasia Brunson contributed in many ways to Lexington’s win over Cardinal Newman, recording 21 digs, 14 kills, six blocks and three aces.

Gabby Esposito had 25 kills with a 43 percent kill percentage to boost Gilbert in its win against Midland Valley.

Alexis Jodie had 19 assists in three sets for River Bluff in the Gators' win over Lakeside.

Weslen McDowell scored seven aces in two sets for Gray Collegiate while adding five digs and 13 assists in Gray Collegiate’s win over Mid-Carolina.

Games to watch next week 

River Bluff vs. Chapin — Sept. 24

Brookland-Cayce vs. Airport — Sept. 24

Batesburg-Leesville vs. Pelion — Sept. 26

Gray Collegiate at Midland Valley — Sept. 26