Very few high school volleyball teams lose in the regional semifinals and are disappointed in their season. But for the two-time defending state champions from Mathews, it had to be a bit of a letdown, in spite of losing a number of key starters to graduation.

After beating Northampton on Nov. 13 in the first round of regional play, the Mathews High School varsity volleyball team then fell on Saturday afternoon in the regional semifinals to the eventual 1A East champions from Altavista.

Last Wednesday night, the homestanding Lady Devils easily swept Northampton in three sets, 25-8, 25-20 and 25-12. Leading the team with kills were Hannah Rowe and Mariah Robinson with six each. Kai McCann followed closely, while Jacqueline Stewart, Brittany Mitchem and Madison South added three kills each. Rowe and Keely Crittenden led the team each with five aces; McCann following with four. Allison Foster aced off two serves, and Whitney Eriksen and Anna Hudgins each had one.

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