After making the state playoffs for the third straight years, two Orange Panthers have been named to the 2017 All-Big 8 volleyball team.
In addition, Cedar Ridge’s Sarah McCuiston was named to the All-Big 8 squad.
For Orange, senior Bailey Lucas and sophomore Emma Clements were named to the 14-person squad. Lucas had 141 kills, 42 aces, ten blocks, 110 digs, and placed 2nd on the team with 278 digs. Lucas had a 40% kill percentage, the highest among players with at least 60 kills on the season.
Clements led Orange in two categories: kills with 202, aces with 61. Her kill percentage was 38.3%. She was second on the team with 256 digs. Clements also had six total blocks. Orange finished 13-11, 6-8 in the Big 8 Conference. In the opening round of the state playoffs, Orange lost to eventual Eastern Regional champions Chapel Hill.
McCuiston, a junior, led Cedar Ridge with 123 kills, tops on the team. She also had a team-leading 36 blocks.
Even though Chapel Hill was one set away from winning the 3A state championship, Northwood swept the conference awards. Northwood’s Cera Powell was named the Big 8 Player of the Year while Steve Thomas took Coach of the Year honors.
Chapel Hill finished 14-0 in the conference, 17-6 overall and lost to North Iredell 3-2 for the state championship.
In regards to Honorable Mentions, Orange senior Faith Foushee was honored. So was senior co-captain Caroline Compton. For Cedar Ridge, juniors Juliann De Jesus and Rachel Tucker was also on the Honorable Mention list.