ALBEMARLE — Over a week into the 2020-21 high school volleyball season, the majority of Stanly County’s five squads are multiple games into their seasons as their conference rankings begin to take shape. Here’s a look at how each of the five schools has done so far early in the season.
WEST STANLY
Following a 2-0 start to the season, West Stanly currently sits atop the Rocky River 2A standings in a tie with Mount Pleasant.
The Colts’ season began Nov. 17 with a 3-0 victory over Forest Hills (0-1, 0-1 RRC) after scores of 25-8, 25-10 and 25-13. Two days later, West followed that opening-season triumph with a 3-0 victory on the road at Central Academy of Technology and Arts (0-2, 0-2 RRC).
The Colts’ next matches include Anson (1-1, 1-1 RRC) on Nov. 24 and Mount Pleasant on Dec. 1.
NORTH STANLY
The North Stanly Comets are also enjoying a 2-0 record thus far as they lead the Yadkin Valley 1A Conference after a pair of home wins.
The Comets defeated the Gray Stone Day Knights (1-1, 1-1 YVC) on Nov. 18 to start the season. North notched the win after taking three out of four sets from the Knights: 27-25, 21-25, 25-21 and 25-22. On Nov. 20, the Comets took a 3-0 victory over the South Stanly Rebel Bulls (0-2, 0-2 YVC) with scores of 25-22, 25-19 and 25-23.
The Comets are set to face the Knights again on Nov. 24 before squaring off at home with A.L. Brown (1-1, 1-1 SPC) in a nonconference showdown on Dec. 1.
SOUTH STANLY
The aforementioned Bulls are looking to right the ship as they hold an 0-2 record and are currently at the bottom of the YVC.
Gray Stone came to Norwood on Nov. 17 and left with a 3-1 win over South, which was defeated despite taking the first set 25-23; the Knights responded with sets of 25-12, 25-16 and 25-15. Two days later, the Bulls were handed their second consecutive loss after taking a 3-0 loss to the Comets.
South has a road matchup with the Chatham Central Bears (1-1, 1-1 YVC) on Nov. 24 and will return home on Dec. 1 to play the Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles (1-0, 1-0 YVC).
GRAY STONE DAY
The Knights (1-1, 1-1 YVC) began their season with a 3-1 road win over South but followed it up with a 3-1 road loss to North Stanly.
Gray Stone is slated for a rematch with North on Nov. 24, a road trip to Chatham Central on Dec. 3, and a home game with Uwharrie Charter Academy on Dec. 8.
ALBEMARLE
Unlike the rest of their county rivals, the Bulldogs’ volleyball season begins a week later this year — Albemarle’s first matchup comes on Nov. 24 as they take on Uwharrie Charter Academy at home.
The team will then travel to South Davidson (0-2, 0-2 YVC) on Dec. 1 before returning home for a contest against South Stanly two days later. On Dec. 8, the Bulldogs are set to hit the road again as they play an important game at North Stanly.