Cardinal Gibbons Wins Sixth Consecutive Title In NCHSAA 3-A Volleyball Championship

RALEIGH— Something odd happened to Cardinal Gibbons en route to capturing the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state 3-A volleyball championship on Saturday night at Reynolds Coliseum on the N.C. State campus—the Crusaders actually lost a set.

Gibbons had lost only one set all season long and West Henderson battled the Crusaders dead even before winning the opener 28-26. But the Crusaders came back and prevailed 25-16, 25-16 and 25-18 to win their sixth consecutive NCHSAA volleyball title.

Cardinal Gibbons became the first NCHSAA school to win six volleyball championships in a row and now has a 43-1 mark in postseason volleyball play in the last nine years.

Junior Briley Brind’Amour of Gibbons was named the championship’s Most Valuable Player, as the 6-1 outside hitter had 15 kills. Sarah Nicouzi also had 15 kills for the winners while Mia Fradenburg was a key performer with 32 digs.

Mary Catherine Ball had 10 kills for West Henderson and Rachel Kordonowy came up with 17 digs.

Cardinal Gibbons ended the season unbeaten in 27 starts. West Henderson, in the state final for the 10th time, is now 5-5 in state championship matches and the Falcons finished 27-2. West earned state titles in 1989, ’90, 2003, ‘094 and ’08, including beating Gibbons for the 2008 crown.

NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
39TH ANNUAL STATE VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Reynolds Coliseum, North Carolina State University

SATURDAY’S RESULTS
CLASS AAAA CHAMPIONSHIP
Greenville J. H. Rose 3, Charlotte Providence 1 (25-14, 16-25, 25-17, 25-16)

CLASS A CHAMPIONSHIP
Princeton 3, East Surry 2 (26-24, 25-22, 15-25, 14-25, 15-12)

CLASS AAA CHAMPIONSHIP
Hendersonville 3, South Granville 0 (25-14,28-26, 25-12)

CLASS AAA CHAMPIONSHIP
Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons 3, West Henderson 1 (26-28, 25-16, 25-16, 25-18)