Fort Mill travels to top-seeded Rock Hill on Tuesday, Oct. 20, for the opening round of the South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) Class 5A boys volleyball playoffs.
The Yellow Jackets enter as the No. 8 seed after finishing 14-13 overall and 5-5 in 5A Region 2, fourth in the region, according to MaxPreps. Fort Mill and Rock Hill split their regular-season series. Rock Hill won 3-1 on Sept. 17, and Fort Mill took the rematch 3-1 on Oct. 6.
The winner advances to the Upper State quarterfinals against the winner of No. 4 Dorman and No. 5 Lexington, Fort Mill Prep Sports reported.
In the 4A bracket, three area programs earned first-round byes and will open play Thursday, Oct. 22.
Indian Land is the headliner. The Warriors went 24-3 overall and 10-0 in 4A Region 3, claiming the region title, according to MaxPreps. They carry a 13-match win streak into the second round, where they host the winner of No. 10 Airport and No. 7 Emerald.
Nation Ford earned the No. 4 seed after going 18-14 overall and 8-2 in Region 3, finishing second, according to bracket information first reported by the Rock Hill Herald. The Falcons will host the winner of No. 12 Clover at No. 5 Legion Collegiate on Oct. 22.
Catawba Ridge, the No. 3 seed, also sits out the first round. The Copperheads went 18-9 overall and 6-4 in Region 3, finishing third. They host the winner of No. 11 A.C. Flora at No. 6 Wade Hampton on Oct. 22.
Clover is the lone area team in 4A first-round action Tuesday. The No. 12 Blue Eagles travel to No. 5 Legion Collegiate.
Both brackets continue Tuesday, Oct. 27, with the 4A Upper State semifinals and the 5A Upper State final. The 4A Upper State final follows Thursday, Oct. 29. The 5A state championship is set for Oct. 31 at 11 a.m. at Lexington High School, with the 4A title match at 1 p.m., according to the Greenville News.
