Carrboro’s sweep of Jordan-Matthews clinches Mid-State 2A title
Three years. Three Mid-State 2A Conference volleyball titles.
Carrboro, in its third year in the league, all but wrapped up another title Thursday night with a 3-0 sweep over conference opponent Jordan-Matthews. The victory gives the Jaguars (18-2, 8-0) a two-match lead with one conference match left to play. It was also their 13th straight victory.
“We have four girls on this team that play club volleyball, so really makes a difference,” said Carrboro coach Steve Scanga. “They know how to pass, set and hit.”
But the biggest reason for the Jaguars’ success, he said, is depth.
“I have three middle hitters, four outside hitters, three liberos; we have no holes on defense or offense,” Scanga said. “Our practices are as competitive as our games.”
Carrboro’s two losses were to bigger schools. A five-set defeat to 4A Northwest Guilford was Aug. 22, and another five-setter loss, to 3A Cedar Ridge, was Sept. 1.
The Jaguars have defeated Jordan of the PAC-6 4A, rival Chapel Hill and gotten revenge over Cedar Ridge during the streak.
Carrboro was just too powerful for the Jets on Thursday. The Jaguars jumped out to an 18-0 lead behind the serve of setter Grace Maggiore and cruised to a 25-5 first-set win.
After a 2-2 tie in the second, Carrboro outscored Jordan-Matthews 23-6 the rest of the way for a 25-8 win.
Maggiore’s serve was the difference again in the third set as the Jaguars took a 17-0 lead and were never threatened in the 25-5 victory.
Senior Fiona McGuire said last season’s semifinal loss in the state championships to South Granville fuels the team’s passion.
“We were so disappointed,” McGuire said. “We used to play them when they were in our conference, and that made it more disappointing. But we left it all out on the court.”
This season, McGuire said, chemistry is playing a large part in the team’s success.
“Last year we had four or five new freshmen, and it was a rebuilding year,” she said. “This year we came out strong and have good team chemistry. We enjoy playing with each other, and we want to go and win a state championship.”
Carrboro travels to Graham Tuesday at 6 p.m.
This story was originally published October 9, 2015 at 12:51 AM with the headline "Carrboro’s sweep of Jordan-Matthews clinches Mid-State 2A title."