It had been five years since Orange volleyball won at Cedar Ridge High School, but the Panthers used leadership from five seniors to end that skid.
Bailey Lucas had twelve kills while sophomore Emma Clements added eleven as Orange swept the Red Wolves 3-0 on scores of 25-21, 25-17 and 25-18 on Tuesday night.
Cedar Ridge had a strong match from junior Sarah McCuiston, who finished with eight kills and two aces.
Orange improves to 11-6 overall, 5-5 in the Big 8. Cedar Ridge falls to 6-9, 2-8 in the Big 8.
Panther senior Elly Wilson added three aces and 14 digs. Senior Faith Foushee added 15 digs. Foushee’s classmate Caroline Compton served up 14 assists, while Lucas added 16.
It’s the first time Orange has swept the Red Wolves since 2012.
In the final two sets, the Panthers broke the match open with lengthy runs. Cedar Ridge led the 2nd set 8-7 after a kill by junior co-captain Macy Henry off an assist from senior Morgan Sellers. With Foushee serving, Orange scored six straight points, a run that included kills by Lucas and Clements.
Cedar Ridge reduced its deficit to 16-14 after an ace by McCuiston. But Orange scored the next five points, including an ace by Wilson and kills by Liz LaNier, Lucas and Clements. Kaitlyn Werden’s spike earned Orange the 2nd set.
The Panthers jumped out to a 6-2 lead in the third set. Orange reeled off seven consecutive points to lengthen its lead to 15-6, a spree that included three consecutive kills from Lucas.