Lady Cougars advance in 3-A state playoffs

WENTWORTH – Rockingham County did not seem fazed by the atmosphere surrounding the state playoffs. The Lady Cougars, who recently won the Mid-State 3-A Conference Tournament and are a No. 1 seed, had no problems getting past Overhills High School, 3-0 in the first round of the NCHSAA 3-A East State Playoffs.
Now at 22-2, Rockingham County will take on either Chapel Hill (21-5, 2) or Union Pines (11-11, 3) in Tuesday’s second round.
“I’ve always been coached that you’re only as good as your weakest link,” said RCHS head coach Carrie Ratliff. “I really don’t have one. Everyone stepped up and played well. When I put subs in there, they give it everything they have.”
Ratliff, a former Rockingham County Lady Cougars, is in her first season on the bench.
RCHS, which defeated Eastern Alamance to win the conference tournament Wednesday night, got off to fast start winning game one 25-15. The Lady Cougars continued their fast starts and won game two, 25-12 and game three 25-11.
Serving played a big role in Saturday’s win. In comparison, Rockingham County compiled 47 service points in the three-game sweep while Overhills only mustered 12.
Megan Dickerson led the charge with 13 service points, including seven in game two. Katie Pace recorded six of her 11 points in game one and Amanda Edwards came off the bench and had eight points in game three. Erin Cox chipped in with six.
RCHS did not start out with the hot service hand, but improved as the game went on.
“I don’t get “sub happy.” Regardless of what happens, I like to play the first two games and get them under our belt and see how we do and get a feel for the other team,” said Ratliff. “Then I try to get as many people into the game as I can.”
In all three games, the Lady Cougars dominated play down the stretch. In game three, RCHS ended on a 9-0 run and in game two the Lady Cougars closed out on a 6-0 run.
The other key for RCHS was the play of its front line – players like Allison Sparks and Sarah Sparks.
Sarah Sparks had a team-high 11 blocks, including two when Overhills was climbing back into game three, and 14 kills. Allison Sparks had eight blocks and 12 kills.
“Our front line is dominant, but you have to start with a pass obviously,” added Ratliff. “I don’t know what I’d do without my Libero and my other defensive specialists.”
Bridgett Moricle led the way with 10 serve receive passes and Leah Schenkel had four and Moricle added a game-high 20 digs.
RCHS also got strong assist-games from Megan Dickerson, who had 10 set assists and Cox, who had seven set assists.
In other playoff action, McMichael defeated Ledford in round one and Eastern Alamance defeated Southern Wayne. Morehead lost 3-0 to Cardinal Gibbons.
Top-seeded Southern Guilford, which is now 25-0, knocked off Burlington Williams.
RCHS lost in round one back in 2007, but advanced to the third round last season.
Tuesday’s game, against either Chapel Hill or Union Pines, will begin at 6 p.m. in Wentworth.