Tigers finish 31-1, capture 2A title by dominating Ayden-Grifton
HobbsDailyReport.com
FAYETTEVILLE – Make that 7-for-7 for Fred T. Foard High’s volleyball program.
The Tigers won their seventh state title — this time winning 2A with a 3-0 victory over Ayden-Grifton on Saturday at Fayetteville State University on Saturday – to add to their other six state championships.
Foard (31-1), the top seed in the West, dominated in every set to sweep third-seeded Ayden-Grifton (22-6).
The Tigers’ Michelle Thao was named the Most Valuable Player, registering five kills and 12 digs. Dara Schaffer added 13 kills and two aces and Megan Dorsey had 11 kills for Foard, the Northwestern Foothills 2A regular season and tournament champion.
The Chargers were within 9-6 in the opening set after a 7:30 p.m. start before Foard got hot and won 25-15.
Foard did not trail in the second or third sets, winning 25-12 and 25-11 to close it out.
Emily Dykes had eight kills and Alexis Bryant had six for Ayden-Grifton.
The state title is the first for Foard since 2005 when its head coach, Meredith Lombardi, was a late-season call up from the junior varsity.
The late Linda Richards coached Foard to state 3A titles in 1995, 1996, 1997 and 2002 and coached the 2011 Newton-Conover team to a state 2A title.
Lettie Wilkes coached Foard to 3A titles in 2003 and 2005.
The only other Greater Hickory area school with a volleyball state title is Freedom in 1999, coached by Ginny Erwin.
AREA STATE CHAMPIONS
Volleyball teams from the Greater Hickory area that have won state volleyball titles:
Year School Class Head coach
2019 Foard 2A Meredith Lombardi
2011 N-Conover 2A Linda Richards
2005 Foard 3A Lettie Wilkes
2003 Foard 3A Lettie Wilkes
2002 Foard 3A Linda Richards
1999 Freedom 4A Joanna Crew
1997 Foard 3A Linda Richards
1996 Foard 3A Linda Richards
1995 Foard 3A Linda Richards
AREA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
1995 3A: Fred T. Foard 3, Asheboro 0
1996 3A: Fred T. Foard 3, Wilson Beddingfield 0
1997 3A: Fred T. Foard 3, SW Guilford 1
1999 4A: Freedom 3, Durham Riverside 1
2002 3A: Fred T. Foard 3, E. Chapel Hill 0
2003 3A: Fred T. Foard 3, Manteo 0
2005 3A: Fred T. Foard 3, Greenville Conley 0
2011 2A: Newton-Conover 3, Elizabeth City Northeastern 0
2019 3A: Fred T. Foard 3, Ayden-Grifton 0