A strong year of volleyball in the Big 8 Conference ended with Chapel Hill playing for the 3A State Championship, just a year after Cedar Ridge played for the Eastern Regional Championship.
On Wednesday morning, Orange’s Jordan Lloyd, Macy Hughes and Bailey Lucas were named to the All-Big 8 Conference Squad.
Two mainstays for Cedar Ridge were also named to the All Conference team. Seniors Lindsay Thompson and Meg Anderson were honored by the league.
Lloyd, who committed to Division II Brevard University two weeks ago, led Orange with 146 kills and 302 digs. By her own admission, the highlight of her senior year was on September 27th when Orange defeated Cedar Ridge for the first time since September 5th, 2012. In that victory, Lloyd had eight kills, 25 digs and an assist.
Lloyd, the daughter of Joel and Sherry Lloyd, began playing volleyball in elementary school in her home community of White Cross.
Hughes, the daughter of Dave and Andrea Hughes, finished 2nd on the squad with 135 kills. She was also 2nd on the team with 36 aces. She had a season-high 12 kills against Cedar Ridge in a 3-1 loss on September 1st. On September 13th against Southern Durham, she had six aces.
Lucas, a junior, was 2nd on the team with a ,204 hit percentage. She finished the year with 57 kills, 21 aces, 94 digs, and a team-high 274 assists.
Orange finished 2nd in the Big 8 at 8-4.
For Cedar Ridge, Thompson became the 2nd player to be honored by the Big 8 Conference in as many days for a fall sport. Her sister, Leah, was named to the Big 8 Girls Tennis squad after the Red Wolves captured the conference championship.
Lindsay Thompson, the daughter of Mason and Beth, led the team with 30 aces and 311 digs. Anderson, another senior, was 2nd on the squad with 155 kills. She also had 238 digs.
Making honorable mention for Orange were junior Julia Fish and senior Mileah Shriner. Cedar Ridge’s Kayla Robinette and Alexis Dumain also made honorable mention.
Chapel Hill’s Shea Golden was named Big 8 Player of the Year. Golden led the Tigers through a remarkable run to the 3-A Eastern Regional Championship. CHHS defeated Northern Nash, Cleveland, C.B. Aycock, West Cartaret and Triton en route to the 3-A state championship match at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh. Cox Mill swept the Tigers for the state crown.
The coach of the year honor was split between three coaches: Chapel Hill’s Lee Fields (in his first season), Northwood’s Steven Thomas and Webb’s Ellis Crews.