CARY, NC – In a match that truly was closer than a 3-0 sweep, D.H. Conley scraped past a tough challenge from Cox Mill to win the Viking’s third state championship in program history. The win was the Vikings’ first state title since they defeated West Iredell in a thrilling five-set 3A Championship Match in 2007. After breaking a 23-23 deadlock to set up match point, Ella Philpot raised up over the net to set down her third block of the match and send Conley to the win.

The match was incredibly tight for the majority of the night, with big swings from both teams regularly flying across the net. Neither team ran off a string of five unanswered points until Conley opened the third set with a 5-0 run, the only one of the match, eventually pushing out to an 11-3 third set-lead. All three sets were tied at 23 during the match, with the Vikings winning all sets by identical 25-23 margins.

Conley featured a very balanced attack, distributing their 37 kills on the night amongst seven players. They were led by Maddie May, who was named the M.V.P. of the match, scoring 10 kills to go with eight digs and solid passing throughout the night. Both of the Viking setters were solid all night as well as Olivia Lefever led the team with 16 assists and Cassie Dail chipped in 14.

The NCHSAA is committed to recognizing good sportsmanship and has partnered with the North Carolina Farm Bureau to recognize one individual from each of the participating championship teams in volleyball with the 2020-2021 Sportsmanship Awards. The recipients for this year’s 3A awards were Olivia Lefever from D.H. Conley and Olivia Todd from Cox Mill.

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