High school volleyball is heating up as the region standings start to take shape around Lexington County. 

With just over a week of regular season action left, teams around the county are looking to add wins and help improve their postseason odds. Many Lexington County teams sit in the middle of their region standings and hope to climb a few spots. 

Lexington’s big six 5A schools have been battling it out for the past three weeks. So far, Lexington has jumped ahead as the favorite, sitting at 6-0 in conference games entering this week. 

The Wildcats earned three region wins last week by beating River Bluff, Irmo and White Knoll. The game against the Gators moved Lexington from a first-place tie to sole possession of the top spot. 

Lexington has been dominant against its region competition. The team has dropped just one set in six games and enters this week on a four-game shutout streak. The Wildcats were scheduled for two region games this week after the Chronicle’s press deadline. They are set to host Chapin and travel to Dutch Fork for their second match against those teams. 

Right behind the Wildcats sits River Bluff. The Gators enter this week 4-1 against region competition and will play three games this week in hopes of improving its record. 

White Knoll, Chapin, Irmo and Dutch Fork all enter this week under .500 in region games. While it is unlikely they catch River Bluff and Lexington, it is still possible. 

Down in 4A, Gilbert, Gray Collegiate, Airport and Brookland-Cayce are looking to add wins and move up in their region standings. The Indians enter this week sitting in the best position of the four. 

Gilbert is 6-2 in region competition as of the start of the week, sitting behind undefeated Aiken and a 6-1 South Aiken team. 

The other three teams are all below .500 against region foes, but have winnable matches still ahead of them that could push them up the standings. 

Swansea has struggled as the only Lexington County team in 3A. The Tigers have just one win this season and entered this week winless in region games. The team has four more region games and could move up in the standings with a few wins, but to do that, it will need to overcome the struggles that have plagued them all year. 

Batesburg-Leesville and Pelion sit in the middle of the standings in the 2A Region 3 conference. The two teams met once early this season in a tournament match that didn’t count towards the region standings. They then met on Monday of this week for the first time in region play. 

Pelion won both contests and therefore, sits higher in the region standings. It was not the last meeting between the two teams as they are scheduled to meet early next week. 

With potential changes to the high school athletic schedule, some region games may get pushed back for all Lexington County teams as areas affected by Hurricane Helene catch up with their schedules. Playoffs are currently scheduled to begin Oct. 23, but that could change and get pushed as well. 

Last week’s big performances 

Gabby Esposito had 14 kills and seven digs to lift Gilbert's volleyball team over Airport.

Jasia Brunson had 17 kills to lead Lexington to an important region victory against rival River Bluff. 

Maiti Martin had a strong outing against American Leadership, recording eight kills and 13 assists in the win. 

Alexis Jodie had her 10th match with 20 or more assists after recording 30 in River Bluff’s win over White Knoll.

Upcoming games to watch 

Lexington vs. White Knoll

Pelion vs. Batesburg-Leesville

Gilbert vs. Aiken 

Lexington vs. River Bluff