HobbsDailyReport.com
Maiden High kept alive its shot of at least sharing a South Fork 2A volleyball title on Tuesday by beating Newton-Conover 3-0 on the road.
Kylie Morgan had 22 kills to lead the Blue Devils, who won 25-16, 25-15, 25-14 and improved to 11-2 in conference matches.
Abbey Smith and Evan Sherrill each added eight kills for Maiden, Peyton McCree had six aces and Faith Herman posted 43 assists.
Maiden trails East Lincoln – 12-1 in the conference — by one match with one to go, and the regular season closes on Thursday when Lincolnton visits Maiden and Newton-Conover plays at East Lincoln.
The South Fork 2A tournament begins Monday with matches at the higher seeds, with the semifinals and final at Maiden.
Hickory 3, Alexander Central 1
The visiting Red Tornadoes broke a tie for second place in the Northwestern 3A-4A by beating the Cougars 3-1, 25-15, 25-21, 22-25, 25-16.
The victory moved Hickory, 10-3 in the conference, into second place. Alexander Central fell to 9-4 in the league and shares third place with St. Stephens.
Allison Gambill had 17 kills and 16 digs to lead the Red Tornadoes and Morgan Anderson provided 13 digs and 49 assists.
Julie Huggins finished with 14 kills, Payton Cross had four aces and 15 digs, Ally Sweeney added six aces and four blocks and Katherine Diamonti contributed 17 digs for Hickory.
The final Northwestern 3A-4A matches are Thursday, and they include St. Stephens at Hickory at 6 p.m. and Alexander Central, also at 6 p.m., playing South Caldwell in Taylorsville.
Watauga 3, Freedom 0
The Pioneers won 25-10, 25-7, 25-18 over the visiting Patriots to stay unbeaten in the Northwestern 3A-4A at 13-0 with only a Thursday match at West Caldwell (6 p.m.) left on the league schedule.
Rebekah Farthing sparked Watauga’s victory with 14 kills and Grace Hayes had 23 assists.
Grace Hagaman posted nine digs, Brooke Byrd had seven and Emma Brown provided 11 assists for Watauga.
GIRLS TENNIS
South Fork 2A tournament
The South Fork 2A tournament, delayed a day by rainy weather, is scheduled to begin on Wednesday at Maiden High. It’s a two-day tournament.