VOLLEYBALL: Wayne Christian reaches NCISAA 1A Final 4

By Staff Reports
Published in Sports on October 24, 2016 9:57 AM

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GREENVILLE -- Hannah Sladick smashed the final kill of the match and Wayne Christian punched its ticket the final four with a 25-17, 25-23, 23-25, 21-25, 17-15 upset of Oakwood in the 2016 N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Class 1-A volleyball playoffs.

The Eagles reached the final four for the first time in program history.

Sixth-seeded Wayne Christian (23-4 overall) opposes second-seeded United Faith Christian (18-2) in semifinal-round play Friday at North Raleigh Christian. Top-seeded Kerr-Vance (22-1) and fourth-seeded Statesville Christian (16-4) meet in the other semifinal.

The state final is Saturday at 10 a.m.

The decisive -- and nail-biting -- fifth set between Wayne Christian and Oakwood included ties at 10-10, 13-13, 15-15. The Eagles moved ahead 16-15 on a serve from senior Mercy Wright.

On the next serve, Oakwood ripped a kill toward the Eagles' defense, which lifted a perfect pass to setter Kasey Norris. Norris dished it off to Sladick, whose kill sent the small contingent of Wayne Christian fans into a frenzy.

Sladick, who was named the Coastal Plains Independent 1-A Conference player-of-the-year, pounded out a playoff- and career-high 23 kills. She logged 14 digs, posted seven blocks and served a pair of aces.

Hope Shook registered four kills and 17 digs. Ashlee Harrelson provided four kills and nine digs. Holly Gurley (three aces, seven digs), Sarah Sawyer (one ace, four digs) and Amanda Morrell (four block assists) each contributed to the five-set triumph.

Norris ended the night with 35 assists, three digs and two block assists.