North Augusta, SC – The Atlantic Collegiate Academy varsity volleyball team continued its run of dominant play, sailing through five matches on Saturday without dropping a single set to earn the tournament title.
The Armada has now won 10 consecutive matches to improve to 11-2-2 on the season.
"Going 10-0 in set percentage takes great effort and focus from every member of our squad," ACA head coach
Larry Church said. "Our whole team was engaged from start to finish during a long day."
ACA opened the pool play portion of the tournament with a 2-0 victory over Mid-Carolina High, dropping the Rebels 25-13 and 25-9. The Armada followed up with a 2-0 victory over Silver Bluff High with convincing 25-11 and 25-8 scores against the Bulldogs.
ACA completed an unbeaten run through pool play with a 2-0 win over Brookland-Cayce, posting scored of 25-11 and 25-14.
In the tournament semifinal, the Armada battled through a tight opening set against Ninety Six High to win 25-21 before advancing with a 25-17 victory over the Wildcats in the second set.
ACA set the tone early in the championship final with a 25-9 victory over Gray Collegiate Academy before the War Eagles put up a fight in the second set. The Armada withstood the challenge to win 25-21 to complete a perfect day and bring home the tournament crown.
"We can't compete at that level all day without having the ability to sub out our regular starters while maintaining our level of play," Church said. "Everyone on the team chipped in to aid in a successful day."
Standouts during the day included junior defensive specialist
Allison Martin, sophomore outside hitter
Lane Skinner, sophomore middle hitter
Elle Lorenz, junior defensive specialist
Presslee Hucks, sophomore setter
Zoey Ruchman and junior right side
Katie McMullin.
The Armada will have another busy week this week with a pair of road matches in Region 7-AA. ACA will travel to play Manning High on Tuesday night and will then go to Turbeville to face East Clarendon on Thursday.
ACA will play in another tournament this weekend, this time at Phillip Simmons High in the Iron Horse Invitational. The Armada will face Hedgesville High from West Virginia, James Island Charter and Porter-Gaud in pool play on Friday. There will be another round of pool play, based off Friday's results, on Saturday morning, before the top teams advance to play in Gold, Silver and Bronze championship brackets.
"It is very difficult to prepare for these matches, not knowing anything about the teams we are facing," Church said. "We have to be prepared to play our best and remain focused through every point and set."
About Atlantic Collegiate Academy: Atlantic Collegiate Academy (ACA), located in Myrtle Beach, S.C., serves high school students in a safe, small and family-centered setting. Our students seek the opportunity and challenge of rigorous curriculum, high academic standards and elite athletics while also earning up to two years of college credit. ACA serves students in grades 9-12 using an honors curriculum in 9th and 10 grades with a dual enrollment curriculum in 11th and 12th grades.
Learn more about ACA by visiting our website at AtlanticCollegiate.Academy and by following us on social media on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
