RALEIGH, N.C. – On the scoreboard, top-ranked Cardinal Gibbons defeated Seaforth, 3-0.

On the floor, both teams won.

In need of a late-season challenge, the two met for a unique 4A vs. 2A showdown. With postseason play less than two weeks away, both showed why they will be heavy contenders in their respective classifications.

“It was a great experience for us,” said Cardinal Gibbons junior setter Genevieve Harris, “it can be a struggle to go from conference play to the postseason, and they (Seaforth) gave us a look at a team that we are not used to facing.”

Harris and the Crusaders are starting to build momentum at the right time. The Texas recruit recently returned to the lineup from injury, but a marquee matchup has been tough to find in a league that features 4 of 6 teams with a win percentage of .312 or lower.

Seaforth, which has established itself as one of the state’s top 2A teams this season, plays in a split conference with only one other 2A program boasting a winning record. The Hawks are now 16-4 overall, but all four losses have come to 4A programs including No. 2 Chapel Hill and the No. 1 ranked Crusaders.

With the likes of Ayden-Grifton, Midway, and Manteo, the 2A East is top-heavy. But none will stack up to the level of competition that Seaforth has gone head-to-head with in recent weeks.

The Hawks got off to a good start in the match. Maris Huneycutt and Ally Forbes opened up a quick 4-0 advantage.

Cardinal Gibbons responded with a 6-1 run, then a 6-0 run to break a 9-9 tie early on.

Mary Grace Gonyeau and Hailey Mueller guided the Crusaders through the back half of the frame to secure a 25-17 win.

The second set is what both teams signed up for.

Keira Rosenmarkle went on a run to give Seaforth a 13-11 advantage. Forbes’ biggest swings of the night followed to inflate the lead.

A Josie Valgus ace forced Cardinal Gibbons into a late timeout, trailing 21-19.

Charlotte Bell started the ensuing rally with a kill to put the Crusaders ahead 23-22. She then stonewalled Forbes at the net to secure set point at 25-22.

A 6-0 lead to begin the third quickly jumped up to 14-5 for Cardinal Gibbons. Harris’ full array of talent was on display late as a kill, two blocks, and a handful of dazzling assists fueled a 25-11 win to seal the match.

Gonyeau slammed down match point to improve the Crusaders’ record to 14-0 this season. On Thursday night, they travel to Enloe to continue Cap-6 Conference play.

Seaforth’s stars did not shy away from the moment. They can finish off a 14-0 conference slate with a win on Thursday against Bartlett Yancey.

If both are standing late in the postseason, one cannot help but wonder how much of a building block this early October match was.

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Source: highschoolot.com