Photo by Gray Collegiate Academy
By Thomas Grant Jr.
A couple of Lexington County volleyball teams find themselves on a collision course to face each other for the S.C. High School League Class 5A title.
Gray Collegiate Academy and River Bluff will play in state semifinals on Tuesday.
The Lady War Eagles face Wando in West Columbia in the Lower State final. They defeated West Ashley 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-20) at home last Wednesday in the third round to improve to 27-5 on the season.
Gray Collegiate Academy is seeking its first-ever state title appearance in the first season in Class 5A. The Lady Warriors defeated the Lady War Eagles in two sets during an August preseason tournament in Mount Pleasant.
It was the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
Meanwhile, the Lady Gators travel to last year’s Division II champion Woodmont for the Upper State final after pulling off a dramatic 5-set road victory in the third round.
Facing defending Class 5A Division I champion Dorman in Paula Kirkland Arena, they rallied from down a set to defeat the Lady Cavaliers by the scores of 25-20, 22-25, 16-25, 25-11, 15-11.
Trailing 9-5 in the final set, River Bluff (21-16) won 10 of the final 11 points for the victory. It was just the second win in 11 meetings over the Lady Cavaliers and avenged state final losses in 2022 and 2025.
The Lady Wildcats defeated the Lady War Eagles in two sets on Sept. 26 as part of a tournament in Piedmont.
Both River Bluff and Gray Collegiate Academy are seeking their first state titles.
