Kristen Bass sets for CFCA in the state tournament on Tuesday.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)

Cape Fear Christian Academy’s varsity volleyball team turned back visiting Ridgecroft Academy of Ahoskie 3-0 on Tuesday in the first round of the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association 1-A Tournament.

The Eagles (12-9) visit Neuse Christian (12-6) in Raleigh on Thursday at 5 p.m. in the next round. CFCA has surged after an 0-5 start.

Set scores against Ridgecroft (8-13) were 25-18, 25-15 and 25-20.

Kills by Clair Parker and Kristen Bass, an error by the Rams and a service ace by Natalia Brocious got the Eagles off to a 4-0 lead and CFCA never trailed in the first set.

The Eagles went ahead at 3-2 on a hit by Zykia Matthews in the second set and led the rest of the way.

The third set was the most competitive as CFCA trailed 19-17 before kills by Matthews and Reyna Johnson evened the score.

The Eagles scored the last five points in the closing set on a kill by Matthews, a hit by Parker that climbed over the net, an ace by Johnson, a Ridgecroft error and a hit by Matthews.

Natalia Brocious serves for CFCA in Tuesday’s win.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)

Zykia Matthewa was a force at the net as CFCA advanced.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)

Claire Parker serves in the Eagles’ first-round win.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)

Meredith Taylor goes up for a hit for CFCA in the state tournament.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)