ALBEMARLE — A North Stanly Comet has been named as the MaxPreps/AVCA High School Player of the Week for the state of North Carolina.
North Stanly senior captain Taegan Lowder, playing at the outside hitter position, claimed the award after her performances in season-opening wins over Gray Stone Day (2-2, 2-2 YVC) and South Stanly (1-3, 1-3 YVC).
During Lowder’s two-game span that earned her the player of the week award from MaxPreps and the American Volleyball Coaches Association, she recorded 37 kills, 20 digs, 16 receptions, six aces and five blocks.
“Huge shout out to Taegan Lowder on being named MaxPreps AVCA NC Volleyball player of the week,” the official Stanly County Sports social media account posted Thursday. “Congrats Taegan! North Stanly High School Booster Club and Comet Nation are so proud of you.”
With an undefeated 4-0 record, the Comets now sit in first place of the Yadkin Valley Conference after a 3-0 home win over North Rowan (0-4, 0-4 YVC) and a 3-2 road win over Gray Stone. MaxPreps currently ranks the Comets as the 85th-best high school volleyball program for the 2020-21 season thus far.
North Stanly defeated North Rowan with ease, cruising through with sets of 25-12, 25-13 and 25-17. The following night’s road trip to Gray Stone was met with a larger test that lasted five sets — 25-9, 19-25, 18-25, 25-21 and 15-8.
During those last two games, Lowder posted a stat line of 29 kills, 23 digs, 19 receptions and two aces.
The Comets’ next three matchups are a road trip to South Davidson (0-3, 0-3 YVC) on Dec. 3, a home game with the Albemarle Bulldogs (0-1, 0-1 YVC) on Dec. 8, and a home game with North Moore (1-3, 1-3 YVC) on Dec. 10.