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There were two streaks that ended for Orange volleyball against Southern Alamance on Thursday night.

Their 29-set winning streak against Central Carolina Conference opponents was snapped by the Patriots. Southern, with strong attacks from Rylee Humble , Roslyn Taylor and Autumn James, were able to battle Orange and pulled out a 26-24 win in the third.

The bigger story was Orange’s 18-year wait to win a conference championship in volleyball is over. The Lady Panthers defeated Southern Alamance 3-1 on scores of 25-16, 25-22, 24-26, 25-16 to improve its league record to 10-0.

The Lady Panthers have won a school-record 16 consecutive matches. They’re now 18-3 and will receive a bye into the semifinals of the Central Carolina Conference tournament, which starts October 16. Orange will host a semifinal game and, if they’re victorious, the title contest.

While a conference championship isn’t the only goal for Orange this season, it is a significant box they’ve checked off their to-do list. During its stint as a 2A team in the mid-2000s, Orange had teams strong enough to win a conference title, but finished runner-up four consecutive years behind Cardinal Gibbons. The past three years, Cedar Ridge, Orange’s crosstown rival, rode atop the Big 8 and CCC with few serious challenges during a 42-match conference winning streak.

This year, Orange removed all barriers to its path to a championship. The power of outside hitters Ella Wimsatt and Aubrey Jordan, the imposing presence of 6-3 sophomore Ava Wilkerson, consistent and pinpoint lobs provided by setter Katie Silcott and the defense of Sadye Porter and Abby Silinksi, among others, have led to its most successful season as a 3A team.

Wimsatt, who leads the team with 304 kills, says it’s merely their first goal.

“It means a lot,” Wimsatt said. “Especially since the last time was 18 years ago. It’s crazy that it’s the time that I’m here and I’m a senior. As a team, we worked really hard for this goal. I hope it will lead to us going really far in the state playoffs.”

Orange coach Hope Heverly, in her first year, was in high school the last time Orange won a conference title.

“That makes it a little bittersweet for me,” Heverly said. “I think everything is a learning experience. We’re ending the conference season and going into the postseason. Losing a set wasn’t bad tonight. I think it’s good for the girls to see the adversity. They came out on fire in set four. I think this was a great learning experience for the girls as we continue this season.”

Orange, playing in pink jerseys during breast cancer awareness night at Panther Gymnasium, charged out to a 10-4 lead in the opening set with a kill by Wimsatt forcing a Southern Alamance time out. Wilkerson had consecutive blocks to increase the lead to 15-9, followed by a kill from Jordan. Senior Josie Crawford nailed down the set with an ace.

The Patriots led for much of the second set with strong play from Autumn James and Laci Gregory. A kill by Poppie Shanklin vaulted Southern ahead 15-13. They didn’t trail in the frame until Jordan had three consecutive kills, and another by sophomore Mariah Poole. Nonetheless, the Patriots fought back to even the set at 18-18 follow a spike by Rylee Humble. Orange reeled off three straight points to go ahead 21-18 and claimed set point when an attack by the Patriots went wide.

For just the second time this conference season, Orange was extended to overtime in the third set. The Patriots got four kills from Humble and three from senior Lacy Gregory to take a 19-15 lead. Jordan had back-to-back kills to even the set 19-19, but the Patriots fought back to force two set points. Orange staved off the first one off an attack from Wilkerson, but kills by Taylor and James gave the Patriots a 26-24 victory.

The fourth set was tied 6-6 before Orange went on a 7-1 run to take control, including a block and a kill by Jordan. Kills by Wilkerson and Jordan pushed the Orange lead to 17-8. On match point, a return by Southern went over the sideline, clinching an elusive conference crown for Orange.

It’s no longer news when the Orange volleyball team sweeps an opponent.

It’s become the norm.

Something that hasn’t been routine for Orange volleyball is winning championships, but a long drought could end tonight against Southern Alamance.

On Tuesday night, the Lady Panthers completed its ninth sweep of a conference opponent in nine league matches by beating Person in Roxboro on scores of 25-20, 25-21 and 25-19. It was the Lady Panthers 16th consecutive win, which is a school record.

Orange (18-3, overall, 9-0 in the Central Carolina Conference) clinched at least a tie for the CCC title. They can win it outright with a win over Southern Alamance tonight (Thursday) inside Panther Gymnasium. Game time between the Lady Panthers and the Patriots will be at approximately 6:30 following the junior varsity contest.

The victory guaranteed Orange will be the top seed from the CCC for the 3A State Playoffs. If the season ended now, Orange would be the #1 overall seed in the east region.

Sophomore Ava Wilkerson finished with 18 kills against the Rockets, a season-high. Senior Ella Wimsatt had a double-double with 17 kills and 26 digs. Another sophomore, Aubrey Jordan, finished with 13 kills and five digs as the Lady Panthers defeated Person for the fourth straight time.

Person (8-8, 5-4) remains in third place in the CCC.

The opening set had nine ties and three lead changes. Wilkerson broke open a nip-and-tuck first frame with three consecutive kills to put Orange ahead 16-12. Sophomore Katie Silcott, who finished with 41 assists, set up Wilkerson on all of her attacks.

Person fought back with a 5-1 run to even the set at 18-18 after a spike by Kaylie Parker, who finished with a team-leading five kills. Orange took the lead for good after a Person serve went into the nylon, followed by a finish from Jordan. The Lady Panthers ended the set with five of the last six points, including two kills by Jordan.

Orange built a 6-2 lead to open the second set following finishes by Wimsatt and Wilkerson. A kill by Wilkerson widened the Lady Panthers lead to 18-14. Orange had three straight points off attacks by Wimsatt and Jordan that led to set point. A return by Person that went wide was enough for Orange to take a two-set lead.

Wilkerson had eight kills in the third set while Wimsatt added seven kills and eight digs. Junior Abby Silinski had seven of her 15 digs in the final frame.

Orange charged out to an 12-3 lead to open the third. Wilkerson had back-to-back kills with Silinski added an ace. A kill by Wimsatt put Orange ahead 16-8, leading to a Person timeout. Wimsatt got a kill on match point off an assist from Silcott.

It was a solid night all the way around for Orange. In Greenville, D.H. Conley defeated J.H. Rose to complete a season sweep. The loss knocked Rose out of the #1 spot in the 3A East RPI rankings–and moved the Lady Panthers into the top spot.

The Cedar Ridge men’s soccer team went from scoring zero goals in its conference opener against Southern Alamance last month to putting up a season-high seven goals in the rematch against the Patriots on Wednesday night at Red Wolves Stadium. In the meantime, Cedar Ridge maintained first place in the Central Carolina Conference with a 7-2 victory over the Patriots. Salomon Hernandez scored the first hat trick of his career, completing the scoring with a hat trick in the 78th minute. Senior co-Captain Illah Babchenko had three assists and added his own goal. Edber Lopez, Abazar Babiker and Dominic McNerney also scored for the Red Wolves. Cedar Ridge has won eleven games, the most since the 2015 team that won 13 games. Cedar Ridge remains in first place, one game ahead of Western Alamance for first place in the CCC. No team from Cedar Ridge has ever won a conference championship in men’s soccer. Cedar Ridge will complete the second leg of the Hillsborough Derby on Monday night at Panther Soccer Field. Cedar Ridge won the opening game against the Panthers 2-1 last month inside Red Wolves Stadium. Cedar Ridge will return home to face Eastern Alamance next Wednesday. The Red Wolves are 7-0-1 in the CCC.

Cedar Ridge men’s soccer players talk 7-2 win over Southern Alamance

The Cedar Ridge men’s soccer team went from scoring zero goals in its conference opener against Southern Alamance last month to putting up a season-high seven goals in the rematch against the Patriots on Wednesday night at Red Wolves Stadium. In the meantime, Cedar Ridge maintained first place in the Central Carolina Conference with a 7-2 victory over the Patriots.

It was no ordinary senior night for the Orange women’s tennis team on Wednesday night. It was a chance to honor a group that accomplished something that no tennis team in school history, men’s or women’s, ever did before. Last year, the Lady Panthers won the Central Carolina Conference championship, the first tennis conference title in school history. Seniors Erinn Sollars and Makayla Davis were starters on that title squad. This year, the Lady Panthers appeared poised to make the 3A State Dual Team Tournament for the third straight season. The past two years, Orange has reached the state quarterfinals. Erinn Sollars has qualified for the 3A State Doubles Tournament twice with her sister, Shannon. This season, Erinn and Shannon Sollars have combined to go 10-2 this season, including a victory in their Senior Night win over Southern Alamance on Wednesday night. Erinn Sollars also won her singles match at #1 over Faith Moore 6-0, 6-0. Senior Makayla Davis defeated Madalyn Corbett at #3 singles 6-0, 6-2. Davis then teamed with Molly Kruse, a sophomore, to defeat Morgan Isley and Morgan Edmunds 8-0. Another senior, Violet Shaw, is in her first season on the team. On Senior Night, Shaw and freshman Ellie Wilson won at #3 doubles over Madalyn Corbett & Dayves Waggle 8-1. Senior Isabella Panek also was honored. Panek returned to the tennis team this season after playing in her sophomore year. Orange defeated Southern Alamance 7-2. The Lady Panthers are now 12-5 overall, 7-4 in the Central Carolina Conference. Orange will conclude the regular season with a home match against Eastern Alamance on Monday. The Central Carolina Conference tournament is set for next Wednesday at the Burlington Tennis Center.

Orange tennis Erinn Sollars, Makayla Davis, Violet Shaw & Isabella Panek talk win on Senior Night

It was no ordinary senior night for the Orange women’s tennis team on Wednesday night. It was a chance to honor a group that accomplished something that no tennis team in school history, men’s or women’s, ever did before. Last year, the Lady Panthers won the Central Carolina Conference championship, the first tennis conference title in school history.

As usual, it was the Orange defense that carried the weight for its football team. The defense scored two touchdowns and a safety in the Panthers’ 43-0 win over Cedar Ridge at Red Wolves Stadium on Friday night. Garrett Sawyer started with a 15-yard interception return for a touchdown with 1:58remaining in the first half. That triggered a sequence where the Panthers scored 20 points in a span of one minute and 29 seconds. Wide receiver Kingston Purefoy-Farrington scored the first touchdown of his career with a 32-yard catch with :16 remaining in the first half. Tyler Narold had three interceptions on the night for Orange, including a pick-6 of his own with 7:37 remaining in the third quarter. Narold also kicked the subsequent extra point. Narold was also the starting quarterback, the starting safety, the punter and placekicker. Orange is battling to make the 3A State Playoffs for the first time since 2017. If the season ended today, the Panthers would be in the field of 64. On Friday night, Orange will face Person in the Highway 57 rivalry for Homecoming at Auman Stadium. Orange has defeated Cedar Ridge 12 straight times. 

Orange’s Kingston Purefoy-Farmington. Garrett Sawyer & Tyler Narold talk football win vs Cedar Ridge

As usual, it was the Orange defense that carried the weight for its football team. The defense scored two touchdowns and a safety in the Panthers’ 43-0 win over Cedar Ridge at Red Wolves Stadium on Friday night. Garrett Sawyer started with a 15-yard interception return for a touchdown with 1:58 remaining in the first half.

From the time Jaylin Starks and Malykahi Justice teamed to sack Southeast Alamance quarterback Ryan Dodson on the first play from scrimmage of the season, Orange’s defense has been the heart of the team.

Even though they lack size compared to its rivals from Alamance County, the Panthers were still able to shut out Walter Williams on the second half on September 21, along with causing headaches for Western Alamance and veteran quarterback Erik Kuehnel in the conference opener in Elon.

In the battle for the Victory Bell at Red Wolves Stadium on Friday night, Orange’s defense created offense, which led to its 12th straight win in the series with its crosstown rival.

Garrett Sawyer and Taylor Narold both scored off interception returns for a touchdown, while the Orange defense held the Red Wolves to one yard of total offense as Orange pulled away for a 43-0 victory.

Narold finished with three interceptions on the night.

The Red Wolves defense kept the Orange offense at bay for much of the first half. Narold’s 42-yard touchdown pass to Kayden Bradsher in the opening quarter was the only Orange offensive score for nearly the entire half.

“Kayden makes plays,” said Orange coach DeVante Pettiford. “It’s something special about his determination and how hard he works.”

Orange had three empty trips to the red zone in the second quarter. After Narold found Bradsher in the 4-yard line, Cedar Ridge’s Mason Cates made a touchdown-saving tackle. Narold misfired on 4th-and-goal off a strong pass rush from Graylon Collins, forcing a turnover on downs with 11:05 remaining in the first half.

“I thought our defense played really well tonight,” said Cedar Ridge head coach Brent Bailey. “We forced two turnovers. They put us in position to be successful. Hats off to our defense, for sure.”

Ja’ki McDaniels and Deandre Brown teamed to tackle Cates in the end zone on the subsequent Cedar Ridge drive for Orange’s second safety of the season. Off the free kick, Hank Nunnery returned as the Panther quarterback after sitting out last week’s game against Williams. Nonetheless, Cedar Ridge came up with two big stops in the red zone.

Leading 9-0, Orange chewed up over five minutes of the clock during a 10-play drive that penetrated all the way to the Red Wolves 2-yard line. On 3rd-and-goal, a solid Cedar Ridge pass rush forced an interception by Jordan Oliva with 5:55 remaining in the third quarter.

After Orange forced a three-and-out, the Panthers drove 33 yards to the Red Wolf 1-yard line after Nunnery found Bradsher for a 25-yard gain. Oliva saved a touchdown when he dragged down Bradsher shy of the goal line. On 2nd-and-goal, Joe Garbee recovered a fumble in the end zone off a botched snap.

“We’re together,” Bailey said. “That was one thing that I heard was a problem last year. We’re together and we can hang our hat on that. Also, we fight. Like tonight, even when the score got out of hand a little bit, I thought we stayed the course and played hard. So that’s what I’m most proud of is we never stop playing.”

It appeared the Red Wolves would be behind 9-0 at the half, but Orange came up with a tsunami of 20 points in a span of 1:31. It started when Sawyer picked off  screen pass and returned it 15 yards for a touchdown.

“That just got us going,” Pettiford said. “That was a big energizer play by a big player on our team.”

After a quick 3-and-out by the Red Wolves, Nunnery hit Brandon Cummings for an 80-yard touchdown pass with 29.9 remaining. A missed extra point kept Orange’s lead at 22-0.

“Hank wasn’t the starter coming in, but he took advantage of his opportunities,” Pettiford said. “He started heating up. I was very proud of Hank. He did a good job for us.”

Narold aimed the subsequent kickoff as a sky kick along the left sideline. McDaniels raced in front of a Red Wolves to recover it. Two plays later Nunnery throwing to Kingston Purefoy-Farrington, who tapped danced into the right corner of the end zone to vault Orange ahead 29-0.

In the second half, Narold returned an interception 42 yards, then kicked the extra point. Jaylen Starks added an 11-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Starks also had seven tackles on defense for Orange. DeAndre Brown paced the Panthers with eight tackles.