RALEIGH, N.C. – Two years removed from a state title, Millbrook is riding momentum into the 4A playoffs.

While the Wildcats’ run through the Northern Athletic Conference tournament was inconsequential for playoff standing, the team’s two matches against Wake Forest and Heritage were one of their only opportunities to field a team at full strength.

Over the final three sets of a 3-1 championship win against the Huskies, Millbrook looked the part of a group that now boasts five Division-I bound players.

Despite being late in the season, the jolt to the lineup comes when the Wildcats need it most.

The strength of the NAC-6’s RPI will likely slot Millbrook in as a 5 or 6 seed in next week’s 4A east playoffs. Because the region is so top-heavy with teams like Cardinal Gibbons, Green Level, and Chapel Hill, the road to a state final will be toughest for those who fail to grab one of the top 3-4 seeds.

A year ago, the Wildcats were in a similar situation, having to host eventual regional runner-up Green Hope in just the second round.

On Wednesday night, Heritage instantly forced Millbrook onto its heels. The Huskies, who entered winners of 14 of their last 16 (both losses to Millbrook), built up a pair of early four-point leads.

Sadie Hancox and Cammy Gaskins made the game’s first run. Alex Chassin and Aubrey Chesson helped create separation late in the first to secure a 25-18 win.

The Wildcats settled in at the start of the second. UAB recruit Isabel Davidian quickly opened up an 8-3 advantage. Millbrook’s ability to land big swings from almost every spot on the floor pushed its lead to as much as 15-4 in what ended up being a 25-20 set.

Caroline Buffum and Ava White landed kills early in the third to spark a quick 10-4 run. Two Harper Nelson aces denied Heritage of a late rally as Millbrook jumped ahead 2-1 in the match with a 25-21 victory.

Down the stretch, the Wildcats leaned on Breanna McMillan and Micah McKenzie to build up a narrow fourth-set lead. Chesson and Hancox kept the Huskies within three points for most of the frame until Millbrook freshman Caitlyn Axe turned in three big plays at the net to put the match on ice.

Another Nelson ace made it 21-18, and Davidian secured match point to close out a 25-20 fourth.

Millbrook heads into the playoffs with an 18-3 record. All three of the Wildcats’ losses were to teams that entered this week ranked in the top 4 of HighSchoolOT’s statewide volleyball poll. Within its conference Millbrook went a perfect 10-0, plus two tournament victories.

Heritage, who will be seeded as the second-place team from the league in next week’s bracket, wraps up the regular season with a 17-6 overall record. The Huskies dropped three matches to Millbrook and three in the first 10 days of the season back in August.

HighSchoolOT updates weekly NCHSAA playoff projections based on the state’s RPI formula. This information is available for those who are HighSchoolOT Insiders. To view the most recent projections, click below.

Source: highschoolot.com