Bandys and Maiden could meet again — this file photo is from a previous conference tournament — as they are seeded No. 1 and No. 2 respectively after each went 13-1 to share the Catawba Valley 2A Athletic title. They each are at home for Monday first-round matches and could potentially meet on Wednesday in the championship match at West Lincoln./HOBBSDAILYREPORT.COM FILE PHOTO
Bandys is top seed, Maiden No. 2 after sharing CVAC 2A crown
By CHRIS HOBBS
HobbsDailyReport.com
NEWTON – Six forfeits by Newton-Conover High shook up the final volleyball standings and pairings for the Catawba Valley 2A Athletic tournament that begins Monday night.
The Red Devils self-reported a violation to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA), and their record was adjusted accordingly at a weekend league meeting.
At the end of the regular season Newton-Conover was 8-6 and in fourth place. Forfeits to Bunker Hill, Lincolnton (two), East Burke, West Caldwell and West Lincoln left the Red Devils 2-12 and with the No, 7 seed in the league tournament.
First-round matches (all at 6 p.m.) on Monday are: No. 8 West Caldwell at No. 1 Bandys; No. 5 Bunker Hill at No. 4 Lincolnton; No. 7 Newton-Conover at No. 2 Maiden; and No. 6 West Lincoln at No. 3 East Burke.
The semifinals and finals are Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, at West Lincoln.
A tie for first between Bandys and Maiden was broken by a draw, and a fifth-place tie between Bunker Hill and West Lincoln was broken by comparing records against East Burke (BH split with Cavs, Cavs swept West Lincoln).
If Bandys and Maiden meet in the tournament, that match will decide the conference’s No. 1 state playoff bid.
Newton-Conover athletic director Todd Davis said Monday the forfeits were because of a rule violation but declined to specify which NCHSAA rule was involved.
The NCHSAA — which under its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with the State Board of Education can no longer penalize a school and seek a fine – has a policy that it will not acknowledge/confirm infractions or discuss them publicly. NCHSAA officials tell those inquiring about rules and schools, etc., they must get information from the schools or school system(s).
Davis confirmed the forfeits, the first from a Sept. 1 home match against Lincolnton.
The Red Devils then played five straight matches before playing four straight that it forfeited – against West Caldwell, Lincoln, East Burke and West Lincoln.
After playing at Bandys on Oct., 6, the Red Devils won at Bunker Hill but that was included in the forfeits.
Newton-Conover, coached by Abigail Dowell, closed the regular season on Thursday, falling 3-0 at Maiden.
Unbeaten N. Iredell has dominated Western Foothills 3A
The conference tournament begins on Monday at 6 p.m. at the highest seeds, highlighted by unbeaten North Iredell – the league champion – sitting at No. 1.
The Raiders (24-0, 14-0) are at home on Monday against No. 8 Statesville. Other first-rounders are No. 5 St. Stephens at No. 4 West Iredell, No. 7 North Lincoln at No. 2 Fred T. Foard and No. 6 Hickory at No. 3 E. Lincoln.
The semifinals are Tuesday at 6 p.m. at highest seeds and the finals are Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the highest seed.
North Iredell has dominated league play, winning the title by three matches over Fred T. Foard.
The Raiders won 3-0 in 13 of their matches and 3-1 over Fred T. Foard on Oct. 5.
The Raiders swept Foard, whose only other league loss came Sept. 8, 3-2 at St. Stephens.
Northwestern 3A-4A schedule ends Monday
The Northwestern 3A-4A schedule ends on Monday and there won’t be a league tournament.
Watauga (9-0) has wrapped up no less than a co-championship and the league’s top state 4A playoff bid.
Ashe County, in second place at 8-1, has earned the conference’s top 3A state playoff bid.
The league title is on the line on Monday, when Avery County visits Watauga. Freedom is at Alexander Central and Hibriten is at South Caldwell on Monday.
Ashe County’s only conference loss came Sept. 28, 3-1 to visiting Watauga.
VOLLEYBALL CONFERENCE STANDINGS: HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS VOLLEYBALL THUR weds 10-12
