Conway, SC — In a high-octane rivalry clash that lived up to championship pedigree, the Atlantic Collegiate Academy volleyball team opened its 2026 campaign with a gritty five-set battle against defending 3A Lower State champion Oceanside Collegiate on Tuesday night.

Coming off a 2A Lower State title game appearance last season, ACA went blow-for-blow with the Landsharks in a marathon match before falling just short in the deciding fifth game, 11-15. The Landsharks took the middle games after the Armada outlasted OCA in the first game, winning 31-29. OCA won 20-25 and 18-25 in the second and third games before ACA won 25-21 in the fourth game to force a fifth, and deciding game.

The Armada set the tone immediately in an extraordinary opening game. In a marathon extra-points thriller, ACA fought through tense exchanges to claim a 31-29 victory and seize an early 1-0 match lead.

Key Performances

• Sierra Roberts: Led the offensive charge with a powerhouse performance at the net, racking up a team-high 13 kills while adding 7 digs on defense.

• Sophia Pimentel: Anchored the back row and service line, delivering a service aces alongside 7 kills and 4 digs in an all-around effort.

• Simone Frederick-Pearson: Provided consistent pressure up front with 8 kills and contributed 7 digs.

• Bella Goebel: Directed the defense and baseline, with Goebel recording a team-high 14 digs.

• Jasmine Dixon & Mariah Mason: Combined at the net to slow down the Landsharks' attack, with Dixon recording 6 kills and 6 block assists, and Mason providing 6 block assists.

The Armada return to action next Tuesday at home against Loris HS. They will be looking to build on their strong opening performance.

The Armada Junior varsity volleyball team also started it's 2026 campaign versus rival Oceanside Collegiate Academy at the Flight Deck, dropping the first set 19–25 before rallying to win the second set 25–21.  The deciding third set was full of surprises and excitement. After building a lead, the Armada squad wasn't able to keep up the early pace and eventually lost 16-18, giving OCA the match.

The last few points in the fiinal game were played with passion, heart and desire, with freshman outsider Zoey Stack recording an impressive hitting percentage, scoring five kills out of six attempts with only one hitting error, sophomore setter Mckenzie Gressett posting a total of 12 assists with three digs along with sophomore hitter Ryland Farrow recording four kills with no errors.

The JV squad will also return to action against Loris next Tuesday.

About Atlantic Collegiate Academy: Atlantic Collegiate Academy (ACA), located in Conway, 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 X.