Thomas Heyward Academy won its first two matches Friday in the SCISAA Class 2-A state volleyball tournament in Sumter before running into defending state champion Spartanburg Christian, going 2-1 on the day.

The Rebels are still alive in the double-elimination tournament and play at approximately 4 p.m. Saturday against Pee Dee Academy.

The Rebels downed Dorchester Academy 2-0 by scores of 25-15, 25-16 in their first-round match.

"We played very well in the first match," Rebels coach Leanne Eddy said. "We were excited and working together."

Jordan Hunnicutt led the way for the Rebels with eight kills, two blocks and a dig.

Victoria Quick added five kills, an ace, four digs, an assist and was 8 of 8 on service. Jordan Brown had five kills and a dig while going 12 of 12 on service.

Hailey Malphrus added 12 assists, while Chandler Cook tallied three kills, two blocks, two aces and eight digs.

Then in the second round, Thomas Heyward beat Robert E. Lee Academy 2-1 (20-25, 25-23, 25-17).

"In the second match, we started out slightly overconfident and inconsistent," Eddy said. "We didn't serve as well as we needed to, and when we struggle with service, we don't play well. But they turned it around, played hard and swept the final two games."

Defending state champion Spartanburg Christian was a different story though, knocking off Thomas Heyward 2-0 (25-7, 25-17).

"Spartanburg Christian was a very strong, solid team," Eddy said. "We didn't respond well. But we're confident going into the Pee Dee match. We should be able to take them if we play our game."

Beaufort High 3, Battery Creek 0: The Eagles swept the Dolphins (25-16, 25-16, 25-19).

The Dolphins finish the regular season 18-11 and open the Class 2-A playoffs Monday at Wade Hampton, a team they beat twice during the season.

* Middle school: St. Francis 2, Hilton Head Prep 1 (19-25, 25-17, 15-12)

CROSS COUNTRY

Region 8-AAAA meet: Led by second-place finisher Evans Beach, the Bluffton boys won the region meet, while the girls finished second by virtue of a tiebreaker.

For the boys, Beach, Josh Tierney (third), Wesley Long (sixth) and Anthony Chissell were named to the all-region team based on their top-12 finishes.

For the girls, Lea Tierney led the way in third place. Tierney, Casey Witkowski (fifth), Savannah Schepp (eighth) and Scottie House (ninth) were named all-region.

Beaufort High's boys finished fifth, while the girls were fourth.

Brandon Pratt (ninth) was all-region for the boys, while Madison Maddox (seventh) and Alex Zapp (10th) earned the honors for the girls.

The Bobcats advance to the Lower State qualifier Oct. 27 at Old Santee Canal Park in Moncks Corner.

Team scores

Boys: Bluffton 35, Fort Dorchester 49, Summerville 78, Ashley Ridge 79, Beaufort 119, Colleton County 183

Girls: Summerville 40, Bluffton 40, Ashley Ridge 78, Beaufort 94, Fort Dorchester 103, Colleton County 170

Boys

Bluffton: 2. Evans Beach 17:22; 3. Josh Tierney 17:28; 6. Wesley Long 17:33; 11. Anthony Chissell 18:05; 13. Matt Gaze 18:09; 16. William Holland 18:30; 21. Daniel Falcocchio 18:52.

Beaufort High: 9. Brandon Pratt 17:43; 24. Jordan Callender 19:09; 25. Ciaran Cordial 19:11; 29. Brahm Gideon 19:40; 32. John Morefield 20:17.

Girls

Bluffton: 3. Lea Tierney 20:55; 5. Casey Witkowski 21:13; 8. Savannah Schepp 21:39; 9. Scottie House 21:43; 15. Annadet Giles 22:30; 24. Riley Chafer 23:15; 26. Amber Klitzsch 23:37.

Beaufort High: 7. Madison Maddox 21:34; 10. Alex Zapp 21:48; 20. Molly Murphy 23:06; 28. Katelin Miller 24:27; 29. Rebecca Fisher 25:04.

GIRLS TENNIS

Bluffton 4, Ashley Ridge 2: In a contest that featured three matches that went to tiebreakers, the Bobcats edged Ashley Ridge to secure Region 8's No. 2 seed for the Class 4-A playoffs.

Bluffton (10-6) and Ashley Ridge both finished 7-3 in the region, but the Bobcats earned the higher seed -- and a first-round match at home -- because they lost fewer sets in their region matches than Ashley Ridge.

Of the three matches Thursday that went to tiebreakers, the Bobcats won two of them: Angie Castrillon at No. 5 singles, and Lauren Bierschenk and Anna Rathke at No. 2 doubles.

Bluffton's first-round match will be at home on Tuesday, against an opponent to be determined. This is the first time in program history that the Bluffton girls will host a first-round playoff match.

Singles: 1. Catie Meighan (B) d. A. Herrera 6-0, 6-0; 2. M. Kratzert (AR) d. Taylor Soop 6-1, 6-4; 3. Justine Wilson (B) d. L. Smith 7-5, 7-5; 4. M. Morris (AR) d. Cooper Baxter 7-6, 4-6, 10-2; 5. Angie Castrillon (B) d. L. Swick 2-6, 6-3, 10-8

Doubles: 2. Lauren Bierschenk/Anna Rathke (B) d. A. Blackmon/M. Martinez 6-7, 6-4, 10-5

FOOTBALL