The Lexington Wildcats secured the Region IV-5A title after their season finale win against Dutch Fork in straight sets.

The win gave the Wildcats an impressive 33-9-2 overall record and secured an undefeated region record at 8-0. 

Head coach Eric Shick told the Chronicle that he believes his team is playing its best volleyball at the end of the season and that they’re fully healthy going into this playoff stretch. 

With the region win, they earn a number one seed in the 5A playoff bracket where they will face Stratford Oct. 18. A win against Stratford would advance them to the second round to play the winner of Summerville and Socastee Oct. 23.

River Bluff, the second place finisher in the region, will have a tough road ahead in the playoffs since they will be slated to play on the road if they get past Boiling Springs at home in the first round Oct. 18. Head coach Bryan Piro believes his team will still be able to make a deep run despite the unfavorable bracket position.

River Bluff finished the season with a 21-15-5 record and a 6-2 region record with both losses coming to Lexington. If the Gators were to beat Boiling Springs, they will have to face the winner of Mauldin and Blythewood on the road Oct. 23.

The Chapin Eagles finished the season third in the region with an overall record of 17-7-1 and a region record of 4-4. They’ll hit the road to take on Gaffney in the first round of the playoffs Oct. 18 and if they were to win, will play the winner of Rock Hill and TL Hanna.

Dutch Fork finished fourth in the region and will also hit the road to start the playoffs. The Silver Foxes will face a talented Wando team at Wando Oct. 18 and if they were to pull off the upset, they would be slated to take on the winner of Carolina Forest and West Ashley. Dutch Fork rounded out the season with an overall record of 8-12 and a region record of 1-7.

The White Knoll Timberwolves made the playoffs as an at-large and will travel to face Conway Oct. 18. The winner of that game will take on the victor of the Cane Bay and Fort Dorchester match-up. The Timberwolves went 6-14 in the regular season and finished region play at 1-7.

In 4A, Irmo will go on the road to play against West Florence on Oct. 19. The winner of that game faces Lucy Beckham Oct. 24.

In 3A, Gilbert won Region V-3A to get the one seed where they will host Lake City at home Oct. 19 in the opening round. Swansea finished fourth and will travel to play Camden. 

In 2A, Gray Collegiate won its region due to forfeits by region opponents and will host Greenville Tech Oct. 18 in the first round. Pelion finished in second place in Region III-2A and will host Fairfield Central in the opening round.