North Gaston clinches second straight volleyball title

DALLAS — North Gaston sure didn’t make this one easy.

After blanking Kings Mountain in the first meeting, the Wildcats needed all five sets in the rematch but still prevailed, 3-2 (26-24, 25-13, 18-25, 25-27, 15-13), to clinch their second consecutive Big South Conference title Thursday.

“They brought it this time,” North Gaston senior libero Carter Thomas said. “They underestimated us last time. They did. They brought it, we brought it. We were gunning for each other.”

With the conference championship on the line for both teams, the match went down to the wire. North Gaston (13-5, 10-1) rallied to win the first two sets, trailing by as many as nine points in the opening set and four in the second. Kings Mountain (13-5, 8-2) took care of business in the third set and eked out another victory to send it to a decisive fifth set.

Kings Mountain scored three straight points in the tiebreaking set to trail 14-13 but a return on the next point went out of bounds, sending the North Gaston players into a frenzy.

“We definitely earned it,” Thomas said. “Both teams played absolutely amazing.”

Setter Carolyn Houser led the North Gaston offense with five kills, 23 assists and five aces. Thomas led the defense with 86 digs.

North Gaston’s Caitlin Rubow had 11 kills, and Marissa Hernandez tallied four kills, one assist and six blocks. Freshman Olivia Denton served 100 percent with three aces and added six kills and three blocks.

Other contributors for North Gaston included Lou Blanton (five kills, four assisted blocks), Katie White (100 percent serving, one ace, three kills, 11 blocks) and Ashley Almond (100 percent serving, one ace).

North Gaston’s title last year marked its first since 1995. Now, the Wildcats have two straight to celebrate for the first time since winning championships in 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1980.

“We’re excited to be on top of the board again and we’re looking to go further,” North Gaston coach Janice James said.

The Wildcats wrap up Big South play Tuesday at home against South Point before finishing the regular season Wednesday with a non-conference home match against East Gaston. Kings Mountain’s remaining schedule includes conference games against Crest at home on Tuesday and at Forestview on Oct. 15.

Even if the Wildcats lose to South Point and Kings Mountain wins out, North Gaston would own the head-to-head tiebreaker.

North Gaston will represent the Big South as its top 3A seed in the playoffs, which don’t begin until Oct. 24. To avoid a week layoff, James is trying to convince county officials to hold a conference tournament, which was scratched in a cost-cutting measure.

North Gaston looked on its way to another 3-0 win after scoring the final 12 points in the second set. But Kings Mountain fought back to win the third set handily and then scored the final three points in the fourth set 27-25 win.

“There was a lot at stake in this match. The girls knew it, so they just decided they were going to fight hard and they weren’t going down 3-0,” Kings Mountain coach Brian Grant said.

Sarah Fedyschyn recorded eight assists, Tiara McClain tallied 10 kills and Emily Gates had 19 digs to lead Kings Mountain.

You can reach Phillip Gardner at 704-869-1843.