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SM opens playoffs with victory; to play in second round tonight
SMHS's Kaitlin Ritchie Photo by Carey Phillips

Kaitlin Ritchie shows perfect form after handling a serve reception for Smoky Mountain in last week's loss at Enka Also pictured is Cassie Proffitt.

Smoky Mountain opened the state 3-A volleyball playoffs at home Tuesday by rallying for an 11-15, 15-11, 15-5, 15-5 victory over South Iredell.

The Lady Mustangs (21-5) not only lost the first game but also overcame a 10-1 deficit in game two.

Details of Tuesday's match will be in next week's Herald.

Next up is a 6 p.m. second round match today (Thursday) at Foard. The school is located some eight miles south of Hickory on N.C. 127 just past the intersection with N.C. 10.

"We're looking forward to the challenge," Coach Cindi Simmons said. "It's a matchup of two of the premiere programs in the 90's as we start the playoffs in the new millennium."

The Lady Mustangs won three straight state championships from 1991-93. Foard matched that feat from 1995-97.

The Lady Tigers defeated SM in a match here earlier this season.

The winner will be on the road Saturday to face defending state champion East Henderson or Mooresville in the quarterfinals. The winner of that match will return home for the semifinals next Tuesday. The state finals will be Nov. 11 at N.C. State.

Playoff tune-up

The three Western Athletic Conference teams headed for the state volleyball playoffs got together Oct 25 at Enka for a tri-match.

The contests were added to the schedule to break up the two weeks between the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs. From the outset, it was obvious Smoky Mountain needed the extra work to get back in playing shape.

After going undefeated in the WAC, SM lost to Enka 15-2, 11-15, 18-16 before defeating Brevard 15-8, 15-2.

The victory over Brevard gave the Lady Mustangs 20 wins for the first time since 1994.

"We were glad to have the opportunity to play before the playoffs," Coach Cindi Simmons said. "From the way we started against Enka, it was obvious we needed some work."

The Sugar Jets breezed in the first game scoring the first seven points and the last eight.

SM led 6-1 in game two after five points from Kaitlin Ritchie. Tara Green had two kills and Lindsey Lewis one in the spurt. Enka came back with seven in a row for an 8-6 edge. The Lady Mustangs took the lead for good at 14-11 after three points from Melissa Collins, and Ritchie's kill. SM was forced to a fourth game point before winning.

Rally scoring was used in game three. The Lady Mustangs were up 7-5 after three points, including an ace, by Abbey Higgins and a kill and block from Lewis. The game was close down the stretch. SM missed on one match point, and Enka didn't secure the victory until its third match point.

Ritchie had seven points and was perfect in 13 serves. Lewis didn't miss in six serves while Higgins served 90.9 percent. Team serving was 87.3 percent.

Against Brevard, SM never trailed after taking a 5-4 lead in game one on three points, including two aces, by Cassie Proffitt and Green's kill. Three more points from Proffitt extended the margin to 12-7. Higgins served the last three points.

Collins opened the second game with three points, including an ace, with Ritchie recording a kill. Four points from Proffitt and Green's kill extended the margin to 7-0. The lead reached 14-2 after Collins served three points and Ritchie had a kill. Higgins served the clinching point.

Proffitt had 10 service points and didn't miss in 15 serves. Others with perfect serving matches were Collins (14), Ritchie (seven) and Katie Loughlin (one). Team serving was 96.7 percent.

Back to Sports: 11/02/00.