Nov 9

Nov 9 Foard halts Ayden-Grifton's record-setting season in NCHSAA state 2-A volleyball final

Ayden-Grifton’s volleyball team poses with the runner-up trophy after falling to the Tigers in three sets Saturday evening at Capel Arena on the Fayetteville State University campus. Rudy Coggins/NeuseNews

FAYETTEVILLE - Ayden-Grifton's historic volleyball season didn't end in storybook fashion Saturday evening.

Fred T. Foard refused to let the Chargers pen the final chapter.

Michelle Thao earned Most Valuable Player honors with eight kills and 12 digs as the Tigers pulled off a dominant 25-15, 25-12, 25-11 performance in the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 2-A state final. Foard claimed its seventh championship in program history and first since 2005.

"I'm very proud of my girls," Ayden-Grifton head coach Linda Bryant said. "Yes, we didn't play well today. We couldn't get our passes where they were supposed to be, but overall I thought they played their best.

Bryant anticipated first-set jitters. As the three-set affair continued, however, she noticed troubles in the passing game and an inability to establish an offensive rhythm. Despite the inconsistency, Ayden-Grifton and Foard engaged in several long rallies throughout the first and second sets.

But the Tigers (32-1 overall) feasted on transition balls and numerous unforced errors, which eventually led to their 29th three-set sweep of the season. The Chargers hadn't endured a three-set defeat since Aug. 27 against D.H. Conley.

Division I recruit Emily Dykes paced Ayden-Grifton (22-6) with eight kills and eight digs. Alexia Bryant contributed six kills and nine digs. Aaleyah Garris posted 11 digs and two solo blocks.

"I feel like we were just not there today," Dykes said. "It wasn't our day."

Dykes, Bryant and Garris - along with fellow seniors Mikayla Olejar, Caroline Congleton and Ivy Hood - graduate as the most successful class in program history. The group collected three Eastern Carolina 2-A Conference regular-season titles, compiled 78 total wins (including a program-record 10 in the playoffs) and claimed the school's first-ever east regional championship.

It's been an unforgettable and memorable journey for coach Bryant, who will retire after this school year. She took two freshmen - daughter Alexia and Dykes - and sophomore Garris under her wings, and the trio developed their skills on the club volleyball scene.

Their success could go unmatched for quite some time.

"It will be a long time before Ayden-Grifton probably comes back to the state again," Bryant said. "This just don't happen year after year. You have to have a very solid program for this to happen. Little old Ayden-Grifton, out of nowhere every blue moon, you get girls like Emily Dykes six feet [tall] coming in, so you take advantage of it."

Notes: Before the match, Ayden-Grifton setter Holly Cannon and Foard's Haley Johnston each received the NCHSAA sportsmanship award from their respective schools. ... The Tigers are 7-0 all-time in the state finals.