Cardinal Newman sweeps Northwood to repeat as SCISA 4A champs
North Charleston - Cardinal Newman repeated as the SCISA Class AAAA state volleyball champion on Oct. 24, defeating Northwood Academy in three sets to win their third title in four years.
The championship match was contested at the Charleston Southern fieldhouse before a standing room only crowd.
The Cardinals cap the 2023 season with a 45-7-2 record and won 20 of their last 21 contests on their way to the championship.
Northwood Academy, making their first state finals appearance since 2008, finishes the season with a 30-12-1 record.
“We knew we were the underdog. We have been the underdog all year,” Northwood coach Danielle Newman said. “At the beginning of the season, we set a goal to be in the state finals and we accomplished that. I told the girls that this wasn’t the outcome that we wanted but we are second in the state. I realize they’re a little sad right now but tomorrow I hope it sinks in all that they accomplished this season.”
Led by one of the state’s top players, senior hitter Christiana Greene, the Cardinals dominated from the outset. The first set was tied at three early but a quick 10-3 run pushed Cardinal Newman to a 13-6 lead. Seven points would be as close as the Chargers would get in the first set as the Cardinals cruised to a 25-13 decision.
The second set was more of the same as the Cardinals led 10-3 early. Northwood battled back to within three at 14-11 but Cardinal Newman stifled that rally with a 5-0 run on their way to a 25-15 win.
The hopes of a miracle comeback were dimmed quickly in the third set. Anchored by Greene, who finished with 14 kills, the Cardinals jumped out to a 15-3 lead and closed out the championship with a 25-8 win.
Greene was one of four key seniors for Cardinal Newman and led the state with nearly 600 kills this season. Five players tallied more than 100 kills. Setter Jayden Johnson had more than 600 assists and libero Kellee Craig was a defensive stalwart for coach Cynthia Dimapan.
“We really put in a lot of work to prepare for this day. We try to prepare for these big moments,” Dimapan said. “To be able to come out and execute the way we did tonight was great to see.
“This doesn’t happen by accident. We work really hard. We practice very hard. We play a tough schedule that really helps us to improve as we go through the season.”
Cardinal Newman beat Northwood Academy earlier in the double-elimination format of the state tournament and came into the finals as the heavy favorite. But, Dimapan took nothing for granted.
“Confidence is a good thing but I also believe in being humble, meaning that every team is a worthy opponent. I tell the team they have to go out and play their best, regardless of the opponent. They did a great job tonight.”
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