The Eagles are ecstatic after the final point of an unbeaten season.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
After a season of serves, digs, sets and spikes, the Cape Fear Christian Academy junior varsity volleyball team used a kick for its final point of an unbeaten season.
“You can use any part of the body to get the ball over the net,” noted CFCA coach Brittany Ter Meer.
That’s what Shelby Hodges did for the Eagles to complete a 25-23 win over visiting Freedom Christian Academy in the deciding second set of the Sandhills Athletic Conference tournament championship on Friday afternoon.
Hodges used her foot after Harper Stewart managed to send a pass into the net on a well-placed ball by the Patriots.
The kicked return dropped on Freedom’s side after staying just inside the net standard. The Patriots were celebrating the point before referee Lawrence Cheatham indicated that the ball had remained in play and the match was complete.
“She must be a soccer player,” Cheatham said when explaining the situation after the match.
Actually, Hodges was a starter on CFCA’s state champion softball team last spring.
The Eagles (12-0) had an easier time in the first set, winning 25-19.
Freedom won the JV tournament on CFCA’s floor last year, but an emphatic home crowd helped pulled the Eagles through in 2019.
Talisha McNeill had seven kills and four blocks in the 2-0 victory. Meredith Taylor had two blocks. Claire Parker served a pair of aces.
“It was a lot of long rallies where both teams were fighting for the points,” Ter Meer said. “Ultimately, the girls limited the amount of errors we made and that helped in creating a solid defense.
“Marlee (Butler) was a big contributor to the team’s success, picking up a lot of tough passes and allowing our offense to run their attacks.”
Cape Fear Christian Academy’s unbeaten junior varsity volleyball team is pictured after winning the Sandhills Athletic Conference tournament. On the front row, from left, are Rhyleigh Horne, Gabbi Chiodo, Marlee Butler, Harper Stewart and Lily West. On the back row are coach Brittany Ter Meer, Claire Parker, Meredith Taylor, Talisha McNeill and Shelby Hodges.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Talisha McNeill makes a play at the net for the Eagles.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Claire Parker serves for CFCA in the SAC Tournament championship.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Rhyeligh Horne makes a set for the Eagles on Friday.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Meredith Taylor (4) goes up to make a play for the CFCA JV.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Libero Marlee Butler makes a dig in the SAC JV championship match.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
