RALEIGH – Middle blocker Haleigh Nelson was a force as
Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons won its fourth consecutive North Carolina High School
Athletic Association state 3-A volleyball championship on Saturday afternoon at
Reynolds Coliseum on the N.C. State campus.
Gibbons swept China Grove Jesse Carson in three straight by
26-24, 25-18 and 25-20.
Nelson, who will continue her career at the University of
Wisconsin, was named the championship match Most Valuable Player. The 6-3
senior recorded 12 kills and the Crusaders also got excellent play from
freshman Briley Brind'Amour, who had 15 kills. Junior libero Biance Gartner had
13 digs for the winners.
Senior middle hitter Amiee Cloninger had 12 kills for Jesse
Carson and setter Michaela White was credited with 16 digs.
Gibbons finished the season 21-3 and improved its mark in
NCHSAA volleyball finals to 7-1. Carson, making its first trip ever to the
championship and seeking its first state team title in any sport, ended its
best year ever at 35-4.
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