Ayden-Grifton celebrates after advancing to the east semifinals with a win over McMichael. Photo by Bud Hardy / Neuse News.

Being a road warrior pays off and for the Ayden-Grifton volleyball team, lighting struck twice in their historic playoff run.

The Chargers avenged last seasons heartbreaking playoff exit against Trinity Wheatmore by returning the favor in a four-set victory (19-25, 27-25, 25-15, 25-15) over the Warriors on Tuesday. This comes after Linda Bryant’s squad went on the road and defeated Carrboro in five sets after being down 2-1. Last year, Ayden-Grifton hosted Wheatmore and won the first two sets before eventually falling in a five-set thriller in the fourth round. 

“It’s an awesome feeling and it’s a dream come true,” said Chargers head coach Linda Bryant. “Our team remembered how last year’s loss felt and it fueled them to a great performance tonight. I’m so proud of my team and we’ve worked so hard for this moment.”

There was no repeat of that this year against the top seed in the 2A east regional playoffs. The number three seed Chargers (22-5) went on a nearly three hour road trip to the Piedmont Triad and took down the back-to-back regional finalists. Wheatmore (27-3) won the first set, but after a tight second set, Ayden-Grifton found their way through a win-by-two situation and tied the match at one set all.

That set seemed to be the turning point for the Chargers as their senior hitters Emily Dykes, Alexia Bryant, and Aaleyah Garris led the way. After leading by four points midway through the pivotal third set, the Chargers outscored the Warriors 14-8 to take the set. 

Ayden-Grifton needed only one more set to win their first ever regional championship and they left no doubt in the fourth set. The Chargers would build a double digit lead and despite the Warriors best efforts to comeback, the match ended in the only way it could possibly end. An Emily Dykes kill right down the middle of the court sent the entire team into jubilation and celebration.

This win is the most historic of what’s been an incredible three-year run for Ayden-Grifton volleyball. Before 2017, the Chargers once had an over four-decade drought of not winning a conference title in volleyball. 

Since 2017, Linda Bryant and the Chargers have won three straight ECC titles and have a 35-1 conference record in that span. They reached the fourth round for the third straight year, advanced to regionals for the first time, and now have their first regional championship. 

Ayden-Grifton will play the top seed out of the 2A West: Newton Fred T. Foard on Saturday. The Tigers defeated Brevard in straight sets to reach the championship round and come into this game with a 31-1 record. This match will take place on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on the campus of Fayetteville State University.

“We’re playing a great team on Saturday and we’re excited for the opportunity,” Coach Bryant said. “I think we have to pass the ball well and if we can do that, it’ll get our hitters going. We’re definitely going to enjoy the win tonight, but once we get back home, we’ll be focused on the biggest match of our season.”