After advancing to the 3rd round of the 3A state playoffs last season, the Orange Panthers hoped their return to the postseason in 2016 would be just as successful.
The Cleveland Rams had other ideas.
In Clayton on Wednesday night, the Rams swept the Panthers 3-0 on scores of 25-12, 25-19 and 25-17. The Rams, from the Greater Neuse River Conference, advance to face Chapel Hill on Thursday night at CHHS.
The Panthers end the season 11-10.
In her final game for the Panthers, Jordan Lloyd had three aces, four kills and eight digs. In all likelihood, it won’t be the final volleyball match for Lloyd, whose being recruited by several Division III colleges.
Fellow senior Macy Hughes registered an ace, five kills, two blocks and a dig.
Bailey Lucas added two kills, two blocks, eleven assists and five digs. Julia Fish finished with five kills and five blocks.
Lloyd led the team in kills with 146 with Hughes 2nd with 135. Lloyd also led the team in digs with 302. Senior Mileah Shriner paced the team in aces with 40, while Hughes had 36.
Fish, a junior, finished with 87 total blocks.
Lucas led the team in assists with 274, while Caroline Compton registered 266.
It was the final game for seniors Lloyd, Hughes, Shriner, Eva Porter and Julia Lovingood.