ALBEMARLE — In what has become a shortened season due to the N.C. High School Association’s response to COVID-19, two volleyball teams in Stanly County have risen to the top of their conference standings.
Undefeated West Stanly (9-0, 9-0 RRC) has already clinched the Rocky River 2A Conference’s regular season title, while undefeated North Stanly (8-0, 6-0 YVC) is tied with Uwharrie Charter Academy (9-0, 6-0 YVC) for the lead of the Yadkin Valley 1A Conference.
On Dec. 15, the Colts claimed their second-consecutive conference crown with a 3-1 victory over rival Mount Pleasant (8-2, 8-2 RRC). The Tigers took the first set 25-21 before the Colts battled back with sets of 25-16, 25-20 and 25-12.
Both of the Tigers’ two losses this year have come at the hands of the Colts — earlier this month, West Stanly defeated Mount Pleasant 3-2 in a battle that ended with a 15-12 win in the fifth set of the matchup.
The Colts are scheduled to begin their conference tournament on Jan. 6 at 6 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Comets still have some work to do to become the regular season champions of the Yadkin Valley Conference.
North Stanly is scheduled to face East Rowan (3-6, 3-6 North Piedmont 3A Conference) on Dec. 29 before engaging in a showdown with fellow undefeated Uwharrie Charter Academy on Jan. 5; both games will be home matchups for the Comets. North Stanly will conclude its regular season on Jan. 7 when it travels to South Stanly (3-6, 3-3 YVC).
Rounding out the rest of the five volleyball teams in Stanly County are Gray Stone Day (6-3, 5-2 YVC) and Albemarle (0-5, 0-5 YVC). The Knights’ three losses have been against North Stanly (twice) and Uwharrie Charter Academy, but they are coming off a 3-0 victory over North Rowan (1-6, 1-9 YVC) where they dominated 25-12, 25-5 and 25-14.
Gray Stone and Albemarle will square off in their last regular season game on Jan. 5 at 5 p.m. in Albemarle. As it stands, scheduling plans for the Yadkin Valley Conference tournament have not yet been announced.
Last season, the Yadkin Valley Conference was led by Uwharrie Charter Academy (20-7, 15-1 YVC) followed by Gray Stone (15-6, 13-3 YVC) and South Stanly (12-13, 10-6 YVC); North Stanly has improved from a 9-7 conference record this year.