SHS boys volleyball went 1-1 in a tri-match after defeating Cardinal Ritter in three sets and falling to Roncalli in the second set on April 4. The team is now 5-7 for the season and looking to improve on fundamentals before fighting their way through the state tournament later this year.

In the first game of the night, SHS was up against Cardinal Ritter for the first time this season and fell in the first set 25-20. The team adjusted and ended up taking the next two sets 25-23 and 15-9.

“At first I was kind of rusty with my passes,” junior Peyton Cheatham said. “But then I got it down pretty good.”

Though Cardinal Ritter proved to be a worthy opponent, SHS knew Roncalli would be the tougher match-up as defending state champs. The two teams had already seen each other earlier in a scrimmage, but this would be their first game in the books.

“I wanted to hopefully make (Roncalli) work for the win,” head coach Matt Dickey said. “I still think we made them work for the win. We didn’t give up. I wish we would’ve beat Roncalli or at minimum take one set from them, but I’m happy with how we played tonight.”

Southport ended up losing 25-19 and 25-18, making the game over in just two sets. The team struggled with serving and staying connected and focused throughout the lengthy double header. Being a young team with just one senior playing varsity and many first time players, the team is still getting a feel for competition.

“Right now I think we struggle with working as a team and talking,” junior Carson Meadors said. “That is the biggest issue.”

Overall, Dickey says the team was successful and he accomplished what he needed to by winning and then competing with such a renowned team as Roncalli.

“Roncalli is number one in the state,” senior hitter Langston Rascoe said.”Giving them a fight is just something in general.”