There was nothing unusual about Orange facing Cedar Ridge in the state playoffs on Saturday afternoon. The two teams have played 13 times since 2021, five in the postseason if you count conference tournaments.

The Lady Panthers had won the previous two meetings with the Red Wolves, but unlike those matches, this time Orange was convincingly the better team.

Junior setter Katie Silcott finished with ten kills, 24 assists and ten digs for her second career triple-double as Orange advanced to the state quarterfinals with a 3-1 win over the Red Wolves on scores of 19-25, 25-16, 25-19, 25-18. Junior Ava Wilkerson added 19 kills as Orange (18-8) advanced to face J.H. Rose in the state quarterfinals.

Cedar Ridge junior Claire Hargett tied her career-high with 25 kills as the Red Wolves, who tied Orange for the regular season championship, ends the year 18-7.

Cedar Ridge had won two straight matches inside Panthers Gymnasium, including a sweep on September 3. In the rematch on September 25, Orange trailed by two sets before they rallied back to win in five sets. On October 17, Orange won 3-2 in the Central Conference Tournament championship match.

On Saturday, Orange’s attacking depth wore down the Red Wolves. Five different players registered at least five kills. Hargett’s 25 kills came on a whopping 76 attacks. Junior Kayla Stoll finished with eleven kills, but no one else for the Red Wolves had more than three.

Freshman Aubry Hodges had two kills and three blocks for Orange, who won on its own home court against the Red Wolves for the first time since September 28, 2023.

“The girls really step up in really big moments,” said Orange coach Hope Heverly. “All of them do. Hodges makes really big blocks. It seems that every time we need a big block, Hodges gives us that. She’s doing a really good job of where the ball is and impacting the game.”

Afterwards, tears were evident on the faces on some of the players from Cedar Ridge, who claimed a share of the regular season championship in a conference that turned out to be the deepest in the state. Four of the final eight teams from the 3A East Region were from the Central Conference, with Person beating league rival Southern Alamance on Saturday to join Orange in the quarterfinals.

“We got a little frazzled,” said Cedar Ridge head coach Latacha De Oliveira. “We started playing not to lose instead of playing to win. I think our confidence got shaken a little bit. I think they got in a rhythm and that got us out of sorts a little bit.”

Cedar Ridge controlled the first set behind the stellar play of Hargett and excellent defense from junior libero Sydnee Tapper, who had nine digs in the first game. The Red Wolves went on a 7-3 run following a block by Mia Marty, which put the Red Wolves ahead for the rest of the set. Hargett followed with consecutive kills assisted by Marty. Following a block by senior Charlotte Lowry and a kill by Hargett, Heverly called a timeout. Stoll scored the Red Wolves’ final two points of the set, including match point on a overhead strike from the right sideline that went off the hands of Silcott at the net and out of bounds.

The second set turned on a tight call with Orange leading 14-12. Ellamarie Perel delivered a nosediving attack that Orange libero Abby Silinki dove to get under. The Orange bench though the ball went off Silinski’s hand, but the officials ruled it hit the floor, reducing the Panther lead to 14-13. The decision incensed the Orange student section, who grew more animated. Whether it was the intensity from the crowd or a jolt injected into the players, Orange finished the set on a 9-3 run, starting with a kill from Wilkerson. On set point junior Aubrey Jordan delivered a kill assisted by Sawyer White, who finished with nine digs, 20 assists, six kills and two blocks.

Orange’s depth began to settle in the third set. Orange peeled off seven straight points, starting with a tap by White for a kill that put the Lady Panthers ahead 15-11. White delivered consecutive aces to extend the Lady Panthers lead to 21-11. The Red Wolves made a late run with Stoll scoring on three straight kills, but Hargett’s face was as red as her blood-colored uniform as the frame wore on. Hargett still delivered another kill to whittle Orange’s lead to 23-18, but an attack by the Red Wolves went long. Once again, Jordan scored on set point to put Orange ahead two-sets-to-one.

Orange had five different players register kills in the fifth set, which included a block by junior Mariah Poole to put Orange ahead 11-7. Hargett finished with six kills in the third set, including one that reduced Orange’s lead to 13-11. Orange steadily pulled ahead following five kills from Wilkerson. White set up Silcott to trigger a 6-2 Panther run to end the match. Wilkerson scored from the near pole on match point.

It wouldn’t be a playoff run by a Hillsborough team without running into J.H. Rose at some point. The Lady Panthers will travel to Greenville to face the Rampants on Tuesday (tonight).

Cedar Ridge defeated Rose for the 3A Eastern Regional championship. In 2022, Rose defeated the Red Wolves in a rematch. Last year, Orange defeated Rose in the state quarterfinals on its way to the state championship match.

Hillsborough Sports | Cedar Ridge at Orange volleyball in 3rd round of 3A State Playoffs

A great matchup between the Red Wolves and the Lady Panthers, which the Panthers captured 3-1.

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The Orange volleyball team is moving on to the round of 16 in the 3A State Playoffs. The Lady Panthers defeated South Central 3-1 in the 2nd round at Panther Gymnasium on Thursday night. Junior Ava Wilkerson finished with 17 kills as Orange won its seventh playoff game over the past two years. Orange trailed 23-20 in the first set before Wilkerson scored three straight points. In overtime, Wilkerson slammed down set point. Junior setter Katie Silcott finished with eight kills, 16 digs and 23 assists. Last week against Western Alamance, Silcott had her first career triple-double as the Lady Panthers advanced to the Central Conference Tournament championship match. Junior outside hitter Aubrey Jordan finished with eight kills. Orange will face crosstown rival Cedar Ridge in the round of 16 later today (Saturday). It will be the 13th matchup between the two teams since 2021 and their fourth meeting this year. Last week, Orange defeated Cedar Ridge in five sets to win the Central Conference Tournament, which led to Orange hosting this afternoon’s state playoff match. Cedar Ridge has won in their last two trips to Orange High School, including a sweep of the Lady Panthers on September 3. The Red Wolves also defeated Orange to win the 2023 Central Conference Tournament championship.

Orange volleyball’s Ava Wilkerson, Aubrey Jordan & Katie Silcott discuss win over South Central

The Orange volleyball team is moving on to the round of 16 in the 3A State Playoffs. The Lady Panthers defeated South Central 3-1 in the 2nd round at Panther Gymnasium on Thursday night. Junior Ava Wilkerson finished with 17 kills as Orange won its seventh playoff game over the past two years.

The Cedar Ridge women’s tennis team wrapped up its season in the state dual team playoffs on Monday. During its senior night game against Walter Williams, each of the six seniors were honored by their underclassmen. Each underclassmen presented a poster to a senior, explaining to the honoree what they admired about them. All of the posters contained messages of congratulations signed by each player. It was the final match for Ella Caltabiano, who had played varsity for four years. In her final match at South Johnston, Caltabiano won over Alyssa Newton 2-6, 7-5, 11-9 in the ten-point tiebreaker. It was also the final time that Caltabiano and Adeline Cummings teamed together in doubles. Caltabiano and Cummings won over Newton and Olivia Meyers 8-3. Caltabiano and Cummings were named the top doubles team in the Central Conference this year. Caltabiano won 18 matches this season. It was the second straight year that Cedar Ridge advanced to the 3A State Playoffs. Lila Rhoades played #5 singles. Rhoades is also a member of the Cedar Ridge swimming team. It was also the final match for seniors Sydney Lund, Anna Grove and Lily Golden. Cedar Ridge ended the year 9-7 overall with a third-place finish in the Central Conference. They were led by first-year head coach Al Caltabiano.

Cedar ridge women’s tennis seniors Caltabiano, Cummings, Golden, Rhoades, Grove & Lund talk season

The Cedar Ridge women’s tennis team wrapped up its season in the state dual team playoffs on Monday. During its senior night game against Walter Williams, each of the six seniors were honored by their underclassmen. Each underclassmen presented a poster to a senior, explaining to the honoree what they admired about them.

Photo from UNCPBraves.com 

Anaya Carter: Carter has transitioned to libero for the Division II UNC Pembroke Braves. Against Mount Olive on October 23, Carter finished with seven digs, two assists and two aces. Mt Olive won 3-1 on scores of 25-21, 25-19, 23-25, 25-20. Last Tuesday, Lander swept the Braves (27-25, 25-18, 25-14).  UNC Pembroke is 9-13 overall, 6-4 in Conference Carolinas.

Graylinn Serge: The former Cedar Ridge outside hitter made her college debut for UNC Greensboro on September 13 in a win over Norfolk State. Serge is playing as a libero for the Spartans. On October 19, Serge had nine digs in a win over Samford. She played four sets. She has also seen action against Chattanooga, Mercer and at Furman, where she nine digs in a loss to the Paladins. UNCG is 7-14 overall, 2-7 in the Southern Conference.

Cameron Lloyd: The Bucknell volleyball team’s 15-game winning streak came to an end on October 13 when Colgate defeated the Bison 3-1 at Cotterell Court in Hamilton, NY. Lloyd finished with seven kills, 12 digs, three blocks and one ace, but the Red Raiders prevailed on scores 15-25, 25-20, 25-14, 25-14. On October 12, Bucknell swept Loyola (Md.) on scores of 25-17, 25-16, 25-12 at Davis Gym in Lewisburg, PA. Lloyd tied for the team-high in kills with ten. She added seven digs and an ace. The win over the Greyhounds gave the Bison the nation’s longest winning streak, which ended the next day. Nonetheless, Bucknell is tied with Colgate for first place in the loss column of the Patriot League.  This weekend, the Bison will face Lehigh and Lafayette.

Cameron Lanier: Stony Brook swept a two-match set from Elon at Pritchard Gymnasium in Stony Brook, NY last week. On October 19, the Seawolves won 3-1 (25-12, 22-25, 25-16, 26-24). Lanier was second on the team with eight kills. She also had six digs. On October 20, Stony Brooks won 3-2 ( 24-26, 25-15, 25-21, 22-25, 15-4) Lanier had 12 kills. Elon falls to 11-10 overall, 5-5 in the Coastal Athletic Association. They will host Towson on Saturday to start a two-match series.

Lottie Scully: Binghamton University defeated NJIT at West Gym in Binghamton, NY on Sunday (25-15, 25-19, 25-16). Scully started as setter and had 37 assists. It was her eleventh performance with 30 assists or more this year. She also had six digs and one kill. On October 16, Colgate defeated Binghamton 3-1 in Hamilton, NY (25-23, 25-18, 23-25, 25-21). Scully finished with her fourth double-double of the season with 45 assists and 14 digs. She also had three kills. Binghamton is 13-9 overall, 2-2 in the America East Conference.

Ella Wimsatt: Division II Lenoir-Rhyne has won six in a row. Wimsatt played three sets in a sweep of Coker on October 15 at the DeLoach Center in Hartsville, SC. She finished with five kills and two digs. Currently, the Bears sit atop the South Atlantic Conference with a 10-1 record. They are 19-1 overall and will travel to Lander College on Saturday.

Julie Altieri: The Division III Salisbury Sea Gulls has won 12 in a row. Last Saturday, Salisbury defeated Stevens 3-0 at Canavan Arena in Hoboken, NJ. Altieri had 38 assists, six digs, one kill and one ace. Later in the day, Salisbury defeated William Patterson 3-1 on scores of 25-19, 25-27, 25-18, 25-20. Altieri had her fourth double-double of the season with 44 assists and 13 digs. She also totaled four kills.

Grace Young: Greensboro College defeated Southern Virginia at Hanes Gymnasium in Greensboro on Wednesday. Young finished with 16 digs and one ace. Last Saturday, Greensboro swept a tri-match at Mary Baldwin University in Staunton, VA. The Pride defeated William Peace University 3-1. Young played in all four sets and finished with five digs and one ace. Later, Greensboro defeated Mary Baldwin 3-0. Young came away with six digs and one ace. Greensboro is 17-6 overall, 10-3 in the USA South.

Melissa Benkowitz: Franklin & Marshall defeated Ursinus 3-1 at the Mayser Center in Lanaster, PA on Wednesday. Benkowitz had 13 digs and one kill. Last Saturday, the Diplomats knocked off DeSales 3-0. Benkowitz had seven digs and one ace. Franklin & Marshall is 18-3, 6-0 in the Centennial Conference. On October 16, the Diplomats swept Gettysburg for a road win. Benkowitz finished with nine digs and one kill.

There’s always an aura of the unknown when any team ventures into the state playoffs. In most cases, they’re facing opponents they’ve never played before.

For this postseason, the Orange volleyball team’s situation is unique. It turns out among the best teams they’ve faced have been in their own conference all along.

On Saturday, they’ll be facing their crosstown rival for a spot in the state quarterfinals.

Junior Ava WIlkerson registered 17 kills while junior Katie Silcott came away with eight kills, 16 digs and 23 assists to lift Orange over South Central 3-1 in Panther Gymnasium on Thursday night in the 2nd round of the 3A State Playoffs. Orange improved to 17-8 on scores of 27-25, 25-16, 17-25, 25-20.

South Central, who defeated top-seeded J.H.Rose last week, ends the year 14-9.

Though South Central lacked Orange’s size, the Falcons kept the match close with 12 blocks, including six from middle blocker Hannah Ebeling. Freshman Taryn Wilson-Ruffin finished with 16 kills.

In tight moments, Orange rode Wilkerson to victory. South Central led 23-20 in the opening set after a kill by Wilson-Ruffin, leading to a Panther timeout. Wilkerson scored back-to-back kills, including a light tap off a set by Addison Guentensberger to reduce the Falcon lead to 23-22. An attack by Wilson-Ruffin went long, tying the set at 23-23. Ebeling hammered a hanging ball over the net and hard off the floor to set up the Falcons’ first set point. Once again, Wilkerson came through with a kill. Orange sophomore Sawyer White delivered an ace for Orange’s first set point at 25-24, which was promptly canceled out off another attack by Wilson-Ruffin.

White took a feed from Abby Silinski for a kill in overtime. Wilkerson delivered an ace to end the tight set of the match, which had five lead changes and eleven ties.

“We changed our defense midway through the first game,” said Orange coach Hope Heverly. “We talked about being a little more efficient with our first ball contact. The girls were able to make that adjustment like they normally do and we were able to come out on top.”

Orange reeled off ten consecutive points to take control of the second set, starting with a kill from Aubry Hodges assisted by White to increase Orange’s lead to 11-9. From there, Wilkerson served up nine straight winners, which included a quick attack by Silcott to push the Panther advantage to 14-9. Wilkerson spike down set point off a feed from Silcott.

“Hodges had a really great game at the net,” Heverly said. “It was nice seeing her involved in our offense and getting some big kills. She’s always been a brick wall at the net. So it’s nice to see her developing.”

South Central’s Brook Evans, who entered the game with a team-high 264 kills, served up an ace to start the third set. The Falcons got points from Ruffin-Wilson and Blaire Adee to go ahead 4-0 and never trailed the entire game. Aubrey Jordan, who finished with eight kills, laid down a block to trim the Lady Panther deficit to 12-7. But the Falcons immediately put the Panthers in its rear view mirror with four straight points, including three straight aces from Ebeling. Junior Riley Brooks ended a dominant frame with a kill on set point.

Evans dealt another ace as the Falcons jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the fourth. White banged down a spike off a feed from Silcott that stated a string of nine straight Orange points. White delivered an ace to put Orange ahead for good 7-6. Hodges scored a kill at the net, then rejected an attack from Evans to vault the Panthers ahead 12-6. After Silcott’s kill off a feed from Silinski, Orange led 14-6.

The Falcons fought back with an 8-2 run, narrowing Orange’s lead to 22-20. Hodges delivered a gritty play with another big kill where South Central setter Somer Davenport dove for the ball on the floor, but the officials ruled the ball hit the hardwood despite play continuing on for several more seconds. After White laid down an ace, Silcott slammed match point off the hands off Eberling and into the bleachers.

On Saturday, Orange will face crosstown rival Cedar Ridge for the fourth time this year. It will be their 13th matchup since 2021 with Cedar Ridge leading the series 8-4. The winner will face either J.H. Rose or Cape Fear in the state quarterfinals.

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