Southwestern Randolph’s Madelyn Smith makes a play near the net against Brevard. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)
ASHEBORO – There’s no repeat for Southwestern Randolph’s volleyball team in the Class 2-A state playoffs.
The defending state champion Cougars were eliminated in the fourth round with Saturday’s 21-25, 25-923-25, 25-17, 21-19 home loss to Brevard.
The Cougars, who were seeded second in the West Region, finished the season with a 26-4 record. Brevard advanced with a 23-5 record.
Madelyn Smith had 13 kills and Riley Key added 10 kills in the last match for Southwestern Randolph. Raegan Leroy added 26 assists and Carleigh Whiston posted 10 service points.
In the third round, the Cougars bounced No. 23 seed North Stanly 25-12, 25-9, 25-17 behind Key’s 11 kills, Smith’s 10 kills, Gracie Hodgin’s eight kills and Leroy’s 16 service points.
In a second-round victory against No. 15 seed East Davidson, Southwestern Randolph received 14 kills from Hodgin, 12 kills and 18 digs from Smith and 32 digs from Coley Shiflet. Leroy provided 23 assists, Whitson had 14 digs and Micah Wilson added 13 assists in the 25-20, 25-22, 25-16 triumph.
Also in Class 2-A, No. 13 seed Randleman was ousted in the second round with a 25-21, 25-20, 25-12 loss at No. 4 seed East Surry. The Tigers finished with a 17-6 record.
In Class 1-A, Uwharrie Charter Academy made it to the third round.
The fifth-seeded Eagles topped No. 21 seed Hayesville 25-12, 25-18, 25-22 in the second round.
But two nights later, UCA (16-8) was eliminated by fourth-seeded Highland Tech in a 25-22, 25-27, 24-26, 25-18, 15-12 decision in the third round.
