"Home cooking" has worked in Gray Collegiate Academy's favor the past two seasons in the S.C. High School League volleyball playoffs.
On Wednesday, the Lady War Eagles defeated East Clarendon in three sets (25-18, 25-14, 25-12) to even their mark to 17-17 on the season. More important, they reached the Class 2A Lower State final for the second straight year after having homefield advantage through the first three rounds.
"It's been really nice having that homecourt advantage for the last three rounds in a row," Gray Collegiate head coach Catherine Wrighter said. "But, we've very well on the road. We've played some of our best volleyball on the road. Hilton Head, Island Bash tournament was some of the best volleyball we played and that was on the road and we play well.

The Lady War Eagles will have a chance to prove it Monday when they visit sister school Oceanside Collegiate for a berth in the Class 2A final. Gray Collegiate lost to St. Joseph's in three sets in last year's Lower State final.

GRAY COLLEGIATE'S ROAD TO CLASS 2A LOWER STATE FINAL
Gray Collegiate 3, Latta 0 (26-24, 25-8, 25-19)
Emma Bright - 12 kills, 18 digs, 6 aces, 2 assists; Kinzie White - 5 kills, 4 digs, 14 assists; Elizabeth Sligh - 18 digs, 4 aces; Demi Buff - 7 digs, 4 kills; Ireland Dail: 8 kills, 12 digs; Lydia Pettit: 5 kills, 3 digs; Caylen Samuel: 6 aces, 2 kills, 5 digs, 18 assists

Gray Collegiate 3, Andrews 0 (25-10, 25-11, 25-13)
Caylen Samuel - 7 aces, 8 digs, 3 kills, 22 assists; Zyon Salley - 1 kill, 1 block; Elizabeth Sligh - 1 ace, 6 digs; Kinzie White - 3 aces, 5 kills, 5 digs; Emma Bright - 2 aces, 24 digs, 11 kills; Ireland Dail - 1 ace, 4 kills, 14 digs; Riley Whisenant - 1 ace, 6 digs
Gray Collegiate 3, East Clarendon 0 (25-18, 25-14, 25-12)

Gray Collegiate 3, East Clarendon 0  (25-14, 25-18, 25-12)

Caylen Samuel - 29 assists, 7 digs; Emma Bright - 18 kills, 19 digs; Ireland Dail - 7 kills, 12 digs; Kinzie White and Elizabeth Slight - 8 digs each

OTHER VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFF SCORES
Bishop England 3, Gilbert 0 (18-25, 21-25, 18-25)
The Region 5-3A champion Lady Indians were eliminated in the third round of the Class 3A playoffs and finished 21-4. 

TUESDAY'S SCORES
Lexington 3, James Island 1 (25-20, 25-20, 22-25, 25-20)
Ashley Ridge 3, Chapin 1 (13-25, 25-22, 18-25, 22-25)
Wando 3, River Bluff 0 (15-25, 17-25, 19-25) 

THURSDAY'S CLASS 5A THIRD ROUND SCHEDULE
Carolina Forest at Lexington 6 p.m.

TENNIS
River Bluff 5, Socastee 1
The defending Class 5A champion Lady Gators advanced to the Lower State final for the third consecutive year. 
They will play host to Wando Monday for a berth in the Nov. 10 final at the Cayce Tennis Center. 

SINGLES

1) Liyin Zhu (RB) d. Cassidy Cocca 6-0, 6-1

2) Brooke Rogers (S) d. Claire Floyd 7-5, 7-5

3) Victoria Votion (RB) d. Waeman Chan 6-0, 6-3

4) Kiana Thatcher (RB) d. Joy Renfrow 6-1, 6-3

5) Shelby Byers (RB) d. Laurel Case 6-1, 6-0

DOUBLES

2) Riley Mitchell/Jillian Leitzsey (RB) d. Ryleigh Caroline Williams/Nicole Mortel 6-4, 1-6, 10-1

MONDAY'S SCORES
Christ Church 6, Batesburg-Leesville 0
Wando 6, Dutch Fork 0