CHARLOTTE — The Lady Scots post-season run was over before it even got started as they squared off with Mallard Creek in the first round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 4A state playoffs. For the second year in a row, Mallard Creek trounced the Lady Scots in three sets, 17-25, 20-25 and 18-25 on Wednesday in Charlotte.
The Lady Scots, entered the tournament ranked No. 10 in the West Region, drew the short straw playing No. 7 Mallard Creek — and it was written all over their faces. The Lady Scots had already accepted defeat before the first whistle blew.
After being off for 10 days before playing Lumberton on Monday the Lady Scots were admittedly a bit rusty, but a lack of communication, enthusiasm and effort wasn’t rust it was defeat.
The first set saw the Lady Scots get off to their usual slow start, only this time they dug themselves such a hole that Mallard Creek easily took the first set, 17-25. The Lady Scots attempted to muster some fight in the second set but the overpowering kill of the Mavericks Skyy Howard was too much for the Lady Scots. Howard’s strong arm allowed Mallard Creek to take the second set, 25-20.
The final set saw the Lady Scots start out in an 0-5 hole after three Mallard Creek aces, a double hit call on Emma Gray Beacham and a kill by the Maverick’s Howard. The sluggish start forced Lady Scots head coach Adam Romaine to call a time out — which didn’t do much to inspire his team.
The Lady Scots continued to get trampled by Mallard Creek, much to the displeasure of their parents in the stands. The Lady Scots fans were more fired up than the team as they continued to try and encourage the girls to move their feet, look alive and get into position for the serve.
A block by the Lady Scots Nahir Pegues, a rotation error and a double hit on Mallard Creek saw the Lady Scots window of opportunity to close the gap open — just slightly down 5-13. Back-to-back aces by the Lady Scots Abby Quick lit a little fire under the team as they pulled to within three, 12-15.
The game was close for a few minutes as the Lady Scots tried to muster a comeback, but the mountain in front of them was too tall and Mallard Creek finished the Lady Scots off with an ace to end Scotland’s season, 18-25. Ironically, the Lady Scots Mason Roberts tried to defend the serve, but ended up hitting teammate Sarah Eury in the face with the ball.
This is the third year in a row the Lady Scots have been knocked out in the first round of the NCHSAA playoffs — back-to-back years against Mallard Creek and Ragsdale in 2014.
The two other SEC teams that made the playoffs were Richmond and Pinecrest. The Lady Raiders, ranked No. 2, topped Olympic in the first round in four sets, 3-1 before falling to Mallard Creek in the second round, 3-0. Pinecrest, ranked No. 9, traveled to Charlotte Catholic, 3-0 to end their season.
Scotland ends its season with a 13-10 overall record. The Scots tied for second with Pinecrest in the Southeastern Conference finishing 6-4.
Amber Hatten can be reached at 910-506-3170.
