North Iredell capped off an outstanding volleyball season with a runner-up finish in the N.C. High School Athletic Association 6A girls volleyball state championship, falling to J.H. Rose in three sets at Campbell University.
The Raiders battled throughout the championship match, but J.H. Rose secured the state title with a 25-19, 25-16, 25-19 victory.
North Iredell concluded its season with a 27-2 overall record, including a perfect 10-0 mark in conference play. The Raiders’ trip to the state championship capped a season in which they established themselves as one of the top volleyball teams in North Carolina.
Jenna Bamberger led North Iredell offensively, recording a team-high 11 kills on 28 attacks with a .286 hitting percentage. She also contributed 14 digs, finishing with a team-high 11 points.
Kelsey Flowers added seven kills on 23 attacks, hitting .217 while contributing two service aces. Delaney Barnes finished with five kills and five digs.
Defensively, Eleanor Munday led the Raiders with 15 digs and added two service aces, while Evelyn Souther contributed seven digs and a team-high 11 assists.
North Iredell opened the championship match with its strongest offensive set, recording 13 kills and hitting .176. The Raiders remained competitive throughout the opening frame, but J.H. Rose pulled away for a 25-19 victory.
The Rampants extended their advantage in the second set, winning 25-16 before closing out the championship with another 25-19 victory in the third.
North Iredell finished with 28 kills and seven service aces, while J.H. Rose recorded 44 kills and six aces. The Rampants hit a .302 as a team compared to .087 for the Raiders.
J.H. Rose was led by championship Most Valuable Player Kate Wallen, who finished with 17 kills, 12 digs, and a .333 hitting percentage. The Rampants concluded their championship season with a 24-5 record.
North Iredell’s Lyla Pennell received the NCHSAA Sportsmanship Award for the Raiders. Pennell also contributed two kills and three digs during the championship match. J.H. Rose’s Piper Cartwright received the sportsmanship award for the Rampants.