We wait and wait for fall sports season to finally arrive. And while Major League Baseball season drags on and on, we’re five weeks into the high school sports season and already the regular season is halfway over for most fall sports.
In volleyball, it appears that Cedar Ridge and Orange are on track to take the two automatic playoff spots in the Central Carolina Conference. After Cedar Ridge’s 3-0 win over Jordan on Tuesday night, the Red Wolves have won 39 consecutive sets. In other worse, since losing to J.H. Rose on August 17, Cedar Ridge hasn’t lost a set in 13 straight matches. The Red Wolves will host Orange next Thursday in a match that could determine the next CCC regular season champion. It could also be the second of three matchups between the Red Wolves and the Lady Panthers with the Central Carolina Conference Tournament slated for next month.
The Orange women’s tennis team remains in 2nd place in the CCC behind only Walter Williams. The Lady Panthers won a match in the 3A State Dual Team Tournament last year, which was the first time that’s ever happened. Orange made the tournament as a wildcard in 2021, something that Cedar Ridge is aiming for right now. The Red Wolves are in 3rd place in the CCC at 4-2.
So here are the seven best performances for the week of August 28-September 3.
- Ella Wimsatt, Sr. Orange: Was named the Orange Panther of the Week for the week of August 28-September 3. She led the team in kills as Orange opened the Central Carolina Conference season with a win over Western Alamance. Two days later, she had another strong game as the Lady Panthers defeated Williams in Burlington. Orange remains one game behind Cedar Ridge for 1st place in the Central Carolina Conference.
- Adeline Cummings, Soph. Cedar Ridge: Won all three of her singles matches for Cedar Ridge women’s tennis team. Competing at #1 singles, defeated Person 6-2, 6-0 in Roxboro as the Red Wolves won its CCC opener 9-0. The following day, Cummings won her singles match 7-6 (8-6), 6-2 as the Red Wolves defeated Southern Alamance 7-2. On August 31, Cummings worked overtime to defeat Northwood’s #1 singles player 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (15-13). Cedar Ridge defeated the Chargers 6-3.
- Evan Marty, Sr. Cedar Ridge: Scored two goals as the Red Wolves’ men’s soccer team defeated Eastern Guilford 8-0 at Red Wolves Stadium. On August 30 against East Chapel Hill, Marty added a goal as the Wildcats defeated the Red Wolves 6-3 in Hillsborough. For the season, Marty has four goals and nine points.
- Noami Dyreng, Soph. Cedar Ridge: Finished third in her first race of the season during the Ronald Horton Cross Country Classic at Northwood High School in Pittsboro. Dyrent crossed the finish line at 22:33.90 in a field that included 55 competitors. It was Dyreng’s first race with the Red Wolves.
- Claire Hargett, Fres. Cedar Ridge: The next generation for Cedar Ridge volleyball, Hargett had a career-high nine kills in a 3-0 win over East Chapel Hill on August 29. Two days later against Person, Hargett had seven kills, two aces and five digs in a 3-0 victory over Northwood in Hillsborough. Hargett is a regular rotation player on a team that returned all of its starters from last season.
- Shannon Sollars, Soph. Orange: Won her singles match in the Orange women’s soccer team’s CCC opener against Western Alamance on August 29. Sollars defeated Sarah McLaghlin at #2 singles 6-2, 6-2. At #1 doubles, Sollars clinched the match for Orange by teaming with her sister, Erin Sollars, to win 8-0. Orange remains #2 in the Central Carolina Conference and is on track to earn an automatic spot to the 3A State Dual Tournament.
- Shawn Beasley, Sr. Orange: Had a career-high 152 yards receiving on seven receptions in Orange’s loss to Burlington Cummings. Beasley had a 70-yard touchdown reception in the first half, which briefly tied the game. It was Orange’s longest play from scrimmage this season. Beasley is Orange’s leader in reception yardage.