Ayden-Grifton wins first volleyball championship, wins 3A title over Pine Lake Prep

RALEIGH, N.C. — A year ago, Ayden-Grifton coach Nicole Waters took her team to the state championship — to watch.

After back-to-back trips to the fourth round, the Chargers sat in the stands and looked out as someone else realized their championship dream. She asked her players afterward what they were feeling.

“I wish it was us,” one of them said.

This year, it was them. All of them.

Ayden-Grifton took home the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3A volleyball championship on Saturday at Reynolds Coliseum by a 3-0 (25-21, 25-15, 25-17) score over Pine Lake Prep.

Primed with a senior class full of talent and leadership, this was “the year” it all came together, and the seniors went out on top with the program’s first championship.

Ayden-Grifton (27-7) did not drop a set in the postseason, remaining determined to finish the job this time around. The Chargers reached the third round in 2022, the fourth in 2023, again the fourth round in 2024.

No matter who won the 3A title, it was going to be someone’s first NCHSAA title as the two teams had only combined for one appearance — Ayden-Grifton’s 2A runner-up finish in 2019. Pine Lake Prep was making its first appearance.

“I was proud of them no matter what happened today,” Pine Lake Prep coach Claire Polk said. “They’ve put their hearts on the floor all season and they play so well as a team.”

Pine Lake Prep (20-5), one of three members of the Catawba Shores Conference to make a state final, struggled against the Chargers’ attack. The Pride were the 3A runner-up and Lake Norman Charter and C.S. of Davidson won the 4A and 2A titles, respectively.

Lainy Evans, who fittingly had the game’s final kill, was named MVP of the match after posting a game-high 17 kills.

“Waters told me I was going to states (as a freshman) and there was never a doubt in my mind,” Evans.

Ashlynn Overby, another senior, had 16 kills and 13 digs.

“I’m just glad I won with this group because it’s the best team I’ve ever been on in my whole life,” Overby said.

In the first set, Pine Lake Prep led 20-18 before Ayden-Grifton rallied to win seven of the last eight points and take a 1-0 lead.

Those early moments were the only time Ayden-Grifton looked even close to rusty.

“This is what it was all for, today,” coach Nicole Waters said. “I was in shock. It was so quick. The girls played lights-out.”

With the jitters gone, the Chargers never looked back.

They sprinted out to an 11-7 lead in the second set, extended it to 19-10, and won it 25-15. They made quick work in the third set too, going up 17-10 and cruising to a win.

Before the game, each team had one player recogizned as NCHSAA Sportsmanship Award winners. For Ayden-Grifton it was Olivia Baker and for Pine Lake Prep it was Payton Bielec.

Final Stats

Ayden-Grifton

• Lainy Evans 17 kills
• Ashlynn Overby 16 kills, 13 digs
• Olivia Evans 21 assists, 5 digs, 4 aces
• K.P. Olejar 10 digs
• Aisha Carver 5 kills, 3 aces
• Olivia Baker 11 assists

Pine Lake Prep

• Phoenix Myers 8 kills, 8 digs
• Sophie Chilton 8 kills, 6 digs
• Payton Bielec 19 assists
• Reese Miller 9 digs

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