Win on Saturday over McMichael would
give Tigers back-to-backs for third time
THE TIGERS IN FINALS
A look at Fred T. Foard High’s seven previous trips to a state volleyball title match:
Year Result Coach
1995 (3A) d. Asheboro 3-1 Linda Richards
1996 (3A) d. Beddingfield 3-0 Linda Richards
1997 (3A) d. SW Guilford 3-1 Linda Richards
2002 (3A) d. E. Chapel Hill 3-0 Linda Richards
2003 (3A) d. Manteo 3-0 Lettie Wilkes
2005 (3A) d. Grv. Conley 3-0 Lettie Wilkes
2019 (2A) d. A-Grifton 3-0 Meredith Lombardi
MVPs: 1995, Linette Ramseur; 1996, Linette Ramseur; 1997, Crissy Harrison; 2002, Audria Harrison; 2003, Audria Harrison; 2005, Mai Zo Lo; 2019, Michelle Thao.
SOURCE: NCHSAA and HobbsDailyReport files.
HobbsDailyReport.com
MILLER’S CREEK – After repeating as West 2A championships on Wednesday night, Fred T. Foard has another shot at adding to its stellar volleyball history.
The Tigers, seeded No. 8, dispatched of No. 3 West Wilkes on the road, winning 25-22, 25-16, 25-18 to return to the state 2A championship match.
On Saturday at 10:30 a.m., Foard (18-0) battles No. 9 McMichael (17-1) for a state 2A title at Green Level High in Cary.
McMichael won at No. 3 North Lenoir – 25-16, 25-21, 25-21 – for the East 2A crown.
Foard can now secure its 75th state playoff victory in its eighth appearance in a final. The Tigers are 7-0 in state finals, defeating Ayden Grifton 3-0 in Fayetteville for a 2A title last season.
Foard (74-29 in 34 postseason bids) also won state titles in 3A in 1995, 1996, 1997 and in 2002, 2003 and 2005.
At West Wilkes, the Tigers’ work netted three more set wins. They are 55-1 this season in set play.
The Blackhawks had an early 8-4 lead in the opening set before Foard scored four straight points for a tie.
Foard, up 23-22, closed the first set with a block by Jamianne Foster, who had three.
The Tigers grabbed an 8-2 lead on the way to winning the second set.
In the third set, Foard did not lose the lead after taking a 5-4 lead on a point by Michelle Thao.
Thao, MVP of last year’s state title match, finished Wednesday with 13 kills for 14 digs.
Megan Dorsey added 11 kills and 10 digs, Averie Dale had four kills and four blocks and Sarah Lingle contributed two aces, eight digs and 15 assists.
The Tigers also got eight digs and 17 assists from Haley Johnston plus 10 digs from Lyndsie Warren.
The victory gives Foard’s Meredith Lombardi a chance to become the third Tigers’ head coach with two state titles. They won four (1995, 1996, 1997, 2002) under the late Linda Richards and two under Lettie Wilkes (2003, 2005).
Foard has eight of the 10 state volleyball final appearances among Catawba County’s schools: Newton-Conover won a state 2A title in 2011 (under Richards), beating Elizabeth City Northeastern while Maiden fell in the 2A final against Carrboro.
The only other state volleyball title appearance was Freedom in 4A win it beat Durham Riverside to take a 4A title.
FRED T. FOARD’S ROSTER: https://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/foard-tigers-(newton,nc)/volleyball/roster.htm
FRED T. FOARD’S SEASON RESULTS: https://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/foard-tigers-(newton,nc)/volleyball/schedule.htm
McMICHAEL’S ROSTER: https://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/mcmichael-phoenix-(mayodan,nc)/volleyball/roster.htm
McMICHAEL’S SEASON RESULTS: https://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/mcmichael-phoenix-(mayodan,nc)/volleyball/schedule.htm
