HS Volleyball Stop: No. 1 North Iredell isn’t getting ahead of itself or its goals

The North Iredell Raiders have picked up where they left off last season. After a close loss to Cedar Ridge in last season’s 3A state championship game, the Raiders were on a mission to prove they could get back to the state title game — and win it.

“I’m trying to take it one match at a time,” head coach Dave Markland said. “Obviously that (state title loss) is in the back of your mind and there is no guarantee that you are going to get back to the championship. Sometimes it is easier to win it when you get back there than to actually get back there.”

With a 20-0 record, North Iredell is the highest-ranked team in the MaxPreps statewide rankings. The Raiders have, in large part, been on cruise control this season, only dropping five sets to this point in the season. Their closest game was a 3-2 victory over Watauga, which is the No. 2 team in the Observer’s Sweet 16 rankings.

“We have played a very tough schedule,” Markland said. “Anytime you do that, there is going to be some let down after a big win. We are working very hard in practice to take every match the same so there isn’t that letdown.”

The Raiders are two games out in front in their conference standings. North Iredell plays in the Western Foothills 3A conference which also includes Fred T. Foard, another power in North Carolina.

The Raiders are led by a group of several key returners. One that stands out is one of the Raiders’ libero, Tilley Collins.

“Tilley is one of our best servers and honestly one of our best ball control players,” Markland said. “She just plays all out and feels like anything on her side of the net, she can get to, and most of the time she does. She is a leader in the fact that she is very competitive. She not only pushes herself but she motivates her teammates to push themselves as well.”

There is a lot of volleyball in front of the Raiders, and Markland realizes that. He is trying to keep his squad level-headed as well as making sure that they understand the opportunity that they do have, and that is to win a state title.

“I think the girls are excited,” Markland added. “I think that we have grown some. We have pretty much everyone coming back (from last season). I think the growth will be able to help us if we can get back in that position. But, there is a lot of competition before you ever get to that point. That is why my focus is, preparing for today’s match and getting better before the next one.”

Matches to Watch

WEDNESDAY

▪ No. 1 North Iredell will face No. 9 Fred T. Foard in their second matchup of the season. This is a chance for Foard to inch closer to the top of their conference standings, led by North Iredell. The Raiders took the first match 3-0 earlier in the season.

▪ No. 5 West Rowan will face No. 10 East Rowan. Despite not being in the same conference, these two are ranked fifth and sixth, respectively, according to MaxPreps in the state’s 3A West.

THURSDAY

▪ No. 4 Hough will face No. 13 Mallard Creek in their second matchup of the season. The Huskies won in dominant fashion in their first meeting. Now that both teams are familiar with one another, it will be interesting to see if Hough will be as dominant again or if Mallard Creek will have an answer.

SATURDAY

▪ No. 4 Hough is back in action against No. 3 Ardrey Kell in what promises to be one of the best matchups of the season. Both teams have played stern competition all season and have proven they are the best of the best.

▪ No. 3 Ardrey Kell also faces No. 13 Mallard Creek on Saturday following their bout with the Huskies. Two tough games for the Knights in one day. The Knights are battle tested though and will be ready come Saturday.

The Observer’s Sweet 16 Poll

Dropped Out: Providence (11-6). On the Bubble: West Stanley (12-5), Mountain Island Charter (14-2), Cannon School (13-5)