May River volleyball earns spot in first SC state championship

For the first time in school history, May River will play for a volleyball state championship.

The Sharks went on the road and defeated Aiken, 3-1 (13-25, 25-21, 25-23, 25-20), to win the Class 4A Lower State championship on Tuesday.

May River will face Pickens, which swept Camden, in the state championship at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Dreher High School in Columbia.

Pickens has won the second-most state championships in state history while the Sharks will go after their first.

May River, which finished second in the region and was a No. 4 seed in Lower State, defeated North Augusta, South Aiken Bishop England and Aiken during its playoff run.

After dropping the first set Tuesday, May River jumped out to a 10-3 lead before Aiken rallied to tie it. The Sharks regrouped to win the second set. In the third set, May River trailed 18-13 before winning eight of the next 10 points to go on and win the set.

May River trailed midway through the set at 13-12 before taking control to clinch its championship spot.

SCHSL Volleyball Championships

Location: Dreher High School

Tickets: $10 for Thursday night and $15 for Saturday. Children 5-under admitted free.

Thursday

Class 5A Division I: Wando vs. Dorman, 7 p.m.

Saturday

Class 4A: May River vs. Pickens, 10 a.m.

Class 2A: North Central vs. Ninety-Six, noon

Class 3A: Powdersville vs. Oceanside Collegiate, 2:30 p.m.

Class A: Lewisville vs. Branchville, 4:30 p.m.

Class 5A Division II: North Myrtle Beach vs. Nation Ford, 7 p.m.