Green Hope repeats 4A volleyball title in dominant fashion, sweeps Hough

The smiles and shouts were the same from a year ago as Green Hope wrapped up a second straight N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A state championship in volleyball on Saturday.

But the celebration was a little more controlled.

This time, the Falcons expected to be here. They expected to win.

Green Hope (31-2) was in control from start to finish in its 3-0 (25-14, 26-24, 25-19) sweep of Hough (26-6) at N.C. State’s Reynolds Coliseum.

“We gained a lot of confidence through playoffs with how well and how confident we were playing and we carried that right into this game,” said junior Erin McIndoe.

The only losses the Falcons recorded this season were to N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 3A champ North Raleigh Christian Academy. Over the last two years, Green Hope is 59-3 overall. This year’s senior class went 91-16 on varsity in their four years.

“It doesn’t feel real ... I haven’t taken it in yet,” said senior Amy Zhang.

For the second straight year, sophomore setter Sydney Dowler was named MVP of the championship match. She had 28 assists and nine digs.

Green Hope graduates six seniors from this year’s group,but has its core returning in McIndoe, Sydney Dowler, junior outside hitter Kayla Dowler (13 kills, 27 digs), sophomore middle blocker Alexis Englebrecht and sophomore libero Taylor Nomason.

“We just have so many people on this team that can step up and fill roles,” coach Karl Redelfs said. “They just did an outstanding job tonight.”

This story was originally published November 4, 2017 at 9:29 PM with the headline "Green Hope repeats 4A volleyball title in dominant fashion, sweeps Hough."