The Gilbert volleyball team will head into its biggest match of the season with momentum.

Wednesday’s 3-set win over Pelion (25-13, 25-13, 25-8) marked their 6th consecutive win. 

The Lady Indians (6-1, 4-1) now look to avenge their only loss of the season Thursday to close out a 3-match homestand. Undefeated Orangeburg-Wilkinson (6-0, 3-0) makes its 1st ever visit to Gilbert looking to solidify its hold on 1st place in Region 5-3A.

The Bruinettes won the 1st matchup in Orangeburg in 5 sets on Sept. 8. The Lady Indians rallied from 2 sets down before losing the season-opener and head coach Jackie Shealy her team will be better prepared mentally for the rematch.

“I feel like the girls after suffering the loss at Orangeburg saw that they had a lot more work to get under their belt,” she said. “They had to get a lot more consistency. I think they had some jitters when they went down (to Orangeburg) being the opening match and a totally different rotation. But I think they’re settling in now, a little bit more comfortable. They’re jelling out there on the court.”

Shealy said her team cannot afford unforced errors which hampered them in the 1st meeting. The key, according to Shealy, is coming out strong early against a “scrappy” O-W team and she’s encouraged by her team’s effort during practice. 

Should Gilbert prevail and the 2 teams end the season tied in the region, a playoff would take place at a neutral site to determine the top seed for the post-season. 

Another volleyball match with region title ramifications will take place at the same time in The Swamp. Undefeated River Bluff looks to complete the season sweep against archrival Lexington.

A win in less than 5 sets would give the Lady Wildcats the tiebreaker for the top seed in the Class 5A playoffs. This was the case last year which helped Lexington earn homecourt advantage through its run to the Lower State title. 

White Knoll 3, Airport 2 (25-19, 19-25, 20-25, 25-22, 15-10)

The Lady Timberwolves won their final 2 matches to rally for the 5-set non-region win over the Lady Eagles Wednesday. 

Up next for White Knoll (4-2, 2-2) is a road trip to Dutch Fork Thursday. 

Gray Collegiate 3, Saluda 0 

TENNIS 

River Bluff 6, Lexington 0

The defending Class 5A champions moved a step closer to claiming another Region 5-5A title after sweeping the Lady Wildcats.

River Bluff (5-0, 5-0) travels to Dutch Fork Thursday. 

(Tuesday’s match)

Batesburg-Leesville 6, Fox Creek 0 

Lexington 6, White Knoll 0 

GOLF 

Gilbert wins Thoroughbred Classic

The Lady Indians shot a 325 to come away with the victory at the Thoroughbred Classic in Aiken.

Kennedy Gooding led the way with a team-high score of 75 to earn medalist honors. She was followed by Edie Raine Hardee (82), Alexis Hodge (83) and Meredith Price (85).

(Tuesday’s match)

White Knoll 191, Airport 242

Megan Kitchings (42) earned top medalist honors for the Lady Timberwolves at Indian River Golf Club.

Rounding out the scoring for White Knoll were Anna Smith (43), Kassey Kitchings (50) and Jaylin Sypolt (56). 

The top 4 scores for Airport were Claire Poovey (55), Courtney Farr (62), Bricen Waters (57) and Abigail Fisher (68).