Wakefield volleyball
Katie Slay (16) and the Wakefield volleyball team hosts Wake Forest-Rolesville today (Thursday) in the third round of the NCHSAA state playoffs. The match kicks off at 6 p.m.
Wakefield, WF-R volleyball teams scrap for fourth time
Winner advances to play Enloe/Broughton winner
For the Wakefield volleyball team's third-round state playoff match-up slated for tonight (Thursday), the Lady Wolverines won't need a scouting report.
They have more than enough of first-hand experience.
Wakefield hosts crosstown rival Wake Forest-Rolesville at 6 p.m., marking the fourth time these foes will battle this season.
In a bold statement of the Cap-7 Conference's strength, the Cougars, the league's No. 4 seed, knocked off two higher seeds — Durham Riverside and Green Hope — to set up the rematch.
The Lady Wolverines have been equally impressive in their first two postseason wins, knocking off Middle Creek and Durham Jordan without dropping a single set.
Wakefield coach Cynthia Terrell explained her squad is excited to play its friendly foes.
"We know each other well, and it should be a good contest. Anytime we play against Wake Forest-Rolesville, it's going to be interesting," she said.
Just how familiar are the squads? Terrell and Cougars' coach Jenna Hinton exchanged well-wishing text messages this week.
Although the Lady Wolverines are undefeated this season at 24-0, WF-R (17-10) has given Wakefield some of its most difficult matches.
In their first match-up this season, on Sept. 17, the Cougars pushed Wakefield to five sets in a 3-2 loss. The Lady Wolverines stepped up winning their next two matches 3-0, including last week's second-round Cap-7 tournament game.
"They gave us some good battles this year, and today should be even more intense because both teams know what's at stake," Terrell said. "We can't afford to make mistakes, and we will have to maximize on theirs.
"Our girls are ready to roll and I feel confident that — if they give it what we're capable of giving — we will have a favorable outcome."
The Lady Wolverines and Cougars aren't the only squads making the Cap-7 proud this week. Both Broughton and Enloe upset higher seeds to advance to the third round, and the two squads face off Thursday night as well. The match's winner faces the winner of the Wakefield/WF-R contest.
In all, there are 16 teams left in the 4-A state volleyball playoffs, and four of them call the Cap-7 Conference home.
"We have always told people that the Cap-7 is one of the strongest conferences, and that's no slight on anyone else, but the talent pool around there is so phenomenal," Terrell said. "We are just so happy for each other. It's a shame two of us won't get to advance past this round."
