Last Tuesday was a special night for the Cedar Ridge volleyball program. The Red Wolves defeated Northwood 3-1 on scores of 25-27, 25-17, 25-13 and 25-20. With the win, Cedar Ridge improved to 8-0 in the Central Carolina Conference with a 15-1 overall record. Before the match, junior setter Julie Altieri was honored in a pregame ceremony after she recently reached the 1,000 assist plateau in a game against Eastern Alamance. Cameron Lloyd, Cameron Lanier, Melissa Benkowitz and Anaya Carter all had big kills for the Red Wolves in its win. Following a victory over crosstown rival Orange on Thursday, Cedar Ridge is one win away from winning the Central Carolina Conference championship. They host Eastern Alamance at Red Wolves Gymnasium on Tuesday. Enjoy some of the play-by-play highlights of Tuesday’s win over Northwood as heard live on HillsboroughSports.com. You can also listen back to the Northwood game on the website in its entirety.

Photo from gopack.com

Trenton Gill: #23 N.C. State held on to defeat Louisiana Tech 34-27 at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh on Saturday night. In a tight game, Gill had a vital role as the Wolfpack punter and he came through big. All but one of Gill’s kickoffs reached the end zone. In six punts, Gill averaged 51.2 yards. His longest punt was 57 yards. Two of them were downed inside the 20-yard line. N.C. State is now 4-1 after winning its final nonconfernece game of the season. The Wolfpack will be off next week and will travel to Boston College on October 16. Last week, Gill was named a semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy, which is awarded to the country’s top student-athlete based on academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership. Recently, Gill helped raise $12,000 in funds for new playground equipment for New Hope Elementary School in Hillsborough, which he attended. Gill graduated in May with a degree in biological sciences and is currently pursuing a postgraduate degree in professional communication.

Adam Chnupa: The Elon Phoenix knocked off #22 Richmond 20-7 at Robins Stadium in Virginia on Saturday. Chnupa, who played football and baseball at Cedar Ridge, played on special teams for Elon. The Phoenix improved to 2-3, 1-1 in the Colonial Athletic Conference. It makes the fifth straight fall season where Elon defeated a ranked opponent. The Phoenix travel to Maine on Saturday.

Keshawn Thompson: The Campbell Fighting Camels defeated North Alabama 48-31 in Braly Stadium in Florence, Alabama on Saturday night. Thompson had three tackles for Campbell, which won its Big South Conference opener. The Camels are 2-2 and will travel to Gardner-Webb next Saturday for the first-ever North Carolina East/West BBQ Trophy. North Carolina BBQ expert Bob Garner will present the trophy to the winning team.

Bailey Lucas: On Saturday, the Meredith volleyball team swept a tri-match at Hanes Gymnasium in Greensboro. The Avenging Angels started the day with a 3-2 win over Greensboro in USA South Athletic Conference action. Meredith won on scores of 20-25, 26-28, 25-11, 25-21 and 15-10. Lucas started for Meredith as setter. She registered 18 assists, and ten digs. In the final match of the day, Meredith defeated Pfeiffer 3-1 on scores of 23-25, 25-16, 25-15 and 25-19. Lucas played all four sets for the Falcons and had two aces. She also finished with 19 assists and five digs. Meredith is in second place in the USA South East division with a 4-1 league record. They’re tied with William Peace for second, and the Angels defeated the Pacers last month. Meredith will face William Peace at Weatherspoon Gymnasium in Raleigh on Tuesday.

Emerson Talley: Last week, Talley played in her second game for the Lenoir-Rhyne women’s soccer team. The Bears routed Coker 5-1 in Hartsville, South Carolina. Talley came off the bench and played 26 minutes. On Saturday, Lenoir-Rhyne shutout Lincoln Memorial 5-0 at Mortez Complex in Hickory. Talley played 33 minutes in the second half. Lenoir-Rhyne leads the South Atlantic Conference with a 4-0 record. The Bears are 6-1-2 overall and travels to North Georgia on Wednesday.

Brittany Daley: On Friday, the Division III Greensboro College women’s soccer team played to a 1-1 tie against Meredith at Pride Field in Greensboro. Daley started at centerback and played 108 out of 110 minutes. On Tuesday, Salem College defeated Greensboro 1-0 in Winston-Salem. Daley played all 90 minutes. Greensboro is 3-5-2 overall, 1-1-1 in the USA South Athletic Conference.

Jordan Rogers: The Division III William Peace women’s soccer team had two games last week. On Saturday, Southern Virginia University defeated the Pacers 2-1 at Knight Stadium in Buena Vista, VA. Rogers started for Peace and played all 90 minutes.

For the first time since 2015, the Cedar Ridge volleyball has swept a two-game season series against Orange. On Thursday night, the Red Wolves defeated the Lady Panthers 3-0 on scores of 25-19, 25-8 & 25-21. Cameron Lanier had another game in double-digit kills for Cedar Ridge. Lanier is now over 400 kills for her career. The Red Wolves junior outside hitter Anaya Carter came up with some big finishes in the second set, including finishing off set point off an assist from Julie Altieri. The win over Orange completed a three-win week for the Red Wolves, which started with a victory over Jordan on Monday. The following day, Cedar Ridge defeated Northwood 3-1 to all but sew up the Central Carolina Conference championship. The Red Wolves s are 16-1, 9-0 in the CCC. They will host Eastern Alamance on Tuesday in Hillsborough. If Cedar Ridge wins one more of its three remaining conference games, they will claim a conference championship for the second straight season.

The closest thing to a football game between Orange and Cedar Ridge took place on Thursday night at Auman Stadium. The Orange junior varsity team defeated Cedar Ridge 20-8. The Panthers scored 20 unanswered points after Cedar Ridge scored a touchdown early after a Panther turnover. Jake McDaniels scored the game-winning touchdown in the third quarter to put Orange ahead 14-8. Running back DeAndre Brown, a freshman, added another score as Orange improved to 3-3 on the season. It was the Panthers’ first win in the Central Carolina Conference. Cedar Ridge got a touchdown pass from quarterback Tom Crawford, who was injured in the second quarter and left the game. The Red Wolves will finally get to return home next Thursday after playing five consecutive road games. Cedar Ridge will host Eastern Alamance on Thursday. Orange will travel to Roxboro to face the Person Rockets. Cedar Ridge will have home games against South Granville on October 14 and against Williams on October 21 before wrapping up the season on the road at Southern Durham. The Panthers will play its final home game against Northwood on October 14.

This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is men’s soccer co-Captain and wingback Jasper Tyll. Last week, Tyll scored the game-winning goal as Orange defeated Person 4-1 at Panther Soccer Park. It was Orange’s first win in the Central Carolina Conference. Tyll broke his left wrist early in the season against Chapel Hill, but he hasn’t missed any action. He has remained on the pitch while wearing a cast. Against Graham on August 30, Tyll sent a free kick from 23 yards to the doorstep of the Red Devils net, which was kicked in by Orange striker Darius Corbett. Tyll also had a goal and an assist in a 3-0 win over Riverside on September 9 in Hillsborough, which avenged an earlier loss to the Pirates. Orange continues to battle teams tough. On Tuesday, Orange took Northwood to overtime, ending regulation 2-2 in Pittsboro. The Chargers prevailed 4-2. Tyll and the rest of the Panthers will return to action against Eastern Alamance later this week. Next week, Orange hosts Western Alamance on Monday before traveling to Walter Williams.

Women’s Tennis:

Orange 7, Cedar Ridge 2: For the third year in a row, the Orange women’s tennis team will have a winning season.

Not only that, but with one more win, the Lady Panthers will have its most wins since they returned to the 3A ranks in 2012.

On Wednesday, Orange completed a season sweep of Cedar Ridge with a 7-2 win at Orange Tennis Courts. It concluded a long 48-hour stretch fo the Lady Panthers that started on Tuesday when they completed a suspended match against Walter Williams, then played an entire dual match against the Bulldogs.

Against the Red Wolves, Orange (11-4 overall, 5-3 in the Central Carolina Conference), senior Tea Jones had two wins on the day. At #4 singles, Jones won 6-4, 6-2. Jones teamed with senior Jinkie Andrews to win at #3 doubles 8-4. So far in 2021, Jones has an overall record of 16-8.

Cedar Ridge sophomore Cameron Mayhew also earned two wins on the afternoon. Mayhew captured her match at #1 singles 6-3, 7-5. After dark, Mayhew teamed with senior Chloe Patz at #1 doubles to win over Finley White and Grace Pell 8-1.

Pell, a sophomore, improved to 11-4 in singles action this year. At #2 singles, Pell prevailed in a three-set match over Patz 6-3, 2-6, 10-7 (10-point tiebreaker). It was the fifth time this year that Pell has played in a three-set match, and the second time it happened against Patz.

Senior Jinkie Andrews won 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 at #3 singles for Orange. Sophomore Erin Sollars and freshman Shannon Sollars earned singles victories for Orange.

Jera Hargrove & Erin Sollars won at #2 doubles 8-3.

Cedar Ridge 5, Northwood 4: On Monday, Cedar Ridge became the first women’s tennis team two hand Northwood a loss in CCC action.

After nearly three hours of action, the entire dual match came down to the final doubles match. Cedar Ridge’s freshmen duo of Ella Caltabiano and Adeline Cummings defeated Northwood’s Kaylee Fisher & Kendall Leberge 8-3 to earn the Red Wolves biggest win of the season.

Cedar Ridge captured three of the five singles matches. Sophomore Cameron Mayhew pulled out a tight match over Evelyn Lippers 7-6 (7-5), 7-5. Mayhew is 6-2 in singles action this year.

The Red Wolves won both singles matches that went to three sets. At #2, Patz defeated Julia Earnshaw 1-6, 6-2, 10-8. At #5 singles, senior Olivia Kelly defeated Fisher 6-2, 2-6, 10-8. Cummings won at #6 singles 6-1, 6-2.

Walter Williams 5, Orange 4: In the completion of a suspended match from earlier this month, Williams held off to take sole possession of 2nd place in the CCC.

The completion of the suspended match wasn’t decided until the final doubles match. Williams’ Kaori Naruse & Lauren Taylor defeated Andrews & Jones 9-7 to take the match. Pell and Andrews won singles matches for Orange.

Orange evened the overall dual match with wins at #1 and #2 doubles. Finley White and Grace Pell teamed to win at #1 doubles 8-6. At #2 doubles, Erin Sollars and Jera Hargrove won 8-2.

Williams 5, Orange 4: Another match that wasn’t decided until #3 doubles. White & Pell won at #1 doubles 8-5, while Hargrove & Sollars captured the #2 doubles match 8-1.

Pell won at #2 singles 8-3. Shannan Sollars won the only other Orange player to win a singles match, defeating Lauren Turner 8-5.

Orange is 11-4 overall, 5-3 in the CCC with two dual matches remaining in conference play. Orange will hold its senior night match next Thursday against Roxboro Community School.

Women’s Golf:

In the fourth Central Carolina Conference meet of the season, Cedar Ridge senior Olivia Aitkins had her best finish of the season at Caswell Pines Golf Course in Blanch. Aitkins finished with a 49 and wound up tied for fifth in a eight-team meet.

Aitkins, who committed to play softball at Amherst College last week, was the highest placer among any of the Hillsborough participants.

Orange’s Samantha Durham had her best round of the season with a 50, which was best among the Lady Panthers. Orange senior Sarah Durham had a 57. Shannon Dorsi, Kayla Pope and Lucia Godinez also participated.

Eastern Alamance’s Emily Matthews finished first with a 33. Western Alamance’s Makayla Martinez finished 2nd with a 39, and the Warriors won the overall team standings with 137. Northwood was second with 144.

The cross country course at Northwood High School is one of the premier sites in the state. It has hosted conference and regional championships.

Only two months after nearly winning a state championship in track & field, Orange’s Spencer Hampton continued a stellar start to the fall season in Pittsboro.

On Monday, Hampton finished first in a Central Carolina Conference meet that also included Cedar Ridge, Northwood, Eastern Alamance and Western Alamance. Hampton had the top time of the day at 17:37.03, pacing a pack of 64 runners.

Hampton’s finished led Orange to come in 2nd in the team standings with 47 points. Northwood, which had four of the top seven runners, finished first with 23 points.

Orange’s Abezu Delvecchia was the only other Panther in the top 10, coming in 9th at 19:00.62.

Cedar Ridge came in fourth in the team standings with 98 points. Junior Roman Morrell came in fourth overall for the Red Wolves with a time of 18:00.90.

On September 10, Hampton finished 2nd in the Friday Night Lights Festival at the Ivey Redmon Sports Complex in Kernersville among 238 runners in the men’s invitational race. In June, Hampton led most of the race in the 3,200 meters at the 3A State Track & Field Championships at North Carolina A&T University. He finished 2nd behind Williams

In the Friday Night Lights Festival, Orange’s Gabriel Schmid finished 11th, crossing the finishing line at 16:43.60.

In the Northwood meet, Cyrus Neal came in 11th, while Schmid finished 21. Freshman Aiden Viola, sophomore lien Cathey, seniors Gabriel Jamison and Ethan Horton, Josiah McCoy and Jospeh Bernardo all finished in the top 50 for Orange.

For Cedar Ridge, Grayson Weisenfeld, sophomore Ethan Benner, Ryan Rakouskas, freshman Ryan Capps, junior John Stephenson, freshman Shea Spiller, and senior Mason Meyer all had top-50 finishes.

In the women’s race at Northwood, the top finisher from a local school was Orange junior Sophia Schultz, who crossed the finish line at 24:38.01.

The Cedar Ridge women’s team finished third among six teams. The Red Wolves had four runners finish in the top 20, including junior Sarah Fenwick, who came in 15th. Senior Sarah Tucker, who has competed in cross country and track & field at Cedar Ridge since she was a freshman, came in 17th.

Cedar Ridge’s Caroline Fowlkes, who qualified for the 3A State Track & Field Championships in the pole vault as a freshman, finished 21st.

Freshman Celine Galla came in 22nd, while Serena Summers and Georgia Roney finished 25th and 27th, respectively.

The Orange women’s team came in 5th in the overall standings. Abby Hengsterman, Harper Trost, Maggie Saunders, Avery Hengsterman, and Margaret Hales all had top 40 finishes for the Panthers. Junior Kate Barger also crossed the finish line for Orange.

In the Friday Night Lights Festival, freshman Caroline Cathey was the top Orange finisher on the women’s team with a time of 23:11.00. She finished 123rd out of 210 runners. Kassi Scarantino, Schultz, Saunders, and Hales also ran for Orange in Kernersville.

Cathey’s time in Kernersville was the top time by a female Orange runner so far in the young season.