Gray Collegiate Academy defeated Greenville Technical Charter School in four sets Oct. 20 in the first round of the S.C. High School League Class 2A volleyball playoffs. 

The Lady War Eagles won the match by a set count of 3-1 in West Columbia. Gray Collegiate (18-13-1), which snapped a four-match losing streak to end the regular season,  took the first set 25-19, lost the second 22-2 and rebounded to win the third and fourth sets 25-9 and 25-13. 

"We really fought hard in a very difficult third set, but that set the tone," said first-year Gray Collegiate head coach Jerry Dorneker. "We took a lot of steam away from them."

He also credited aggressive and accurate serving as a key to the win. Avery Tucker had a good night serving the ball, Dorneker said. 

"We were able to neutralize them," he said. 

With the win, Gray Collegiate moves on to the second round of the playoffs. It will play host Oct. 25 to Saluda, which defeated Silver Bluff in five sets. 

"I'm not sure who we play, yet, said Dorneker prior to learning his next opponent, "but it will get tougher as we move forward."