Staff Report

Northwest 1A/2A volleyball teams will take the court next week for the first round of the NCHSAA playoffs.

After finishing 27-0 in the regular season, including a 14-0 conference mark, the North Surry Greyhounds enter the 2A bracket surely as a team to beat.

The only undefeated team in the Western region, the Greyhounds will start off with Jimmy C. Draughn, the No. 4 finisher from the Catawba Valley Conference.

Should they advance, North will play the winner of Owen versus North Henderson.

The Greyhounds could have possible matchups with former Mountain Valley 2A foes Forbush (round of 16) and Starmount in the final eight, the same round in which the Rams defeated coach Shane Slate’s squad one year ago.

Surry Central (10-11 overall, 9-5 conference) will face Newton Conover in the first round action, and could face the winner of Starmount versus Mountain Heritage in the second round.

In the 1A bracket, East Surry was the top finisher from the Northwest 1A/2A with a 13-5 record, including a 12-2 conference mark.

The Cardinals will host Gray Stone Day in the first round and should they advance, will take on the winner of Cherryville versus North Moore.

Mount Airy (7-13, 5-9) will travel to Alleghany for its first round meeting. The Trojans swept the Granite Bears in two meetings this season.

After North Surry breezed through the conference tournament last week, the Northwest 1A/2A announced its 2009 awards.

Each year seven players are recognized for their outstanding achievements during the conference tournament. This year’s team was highlighted by three North Surry Greyhounds, including the tournaments Most Outstanding Player, Courtney Campbell. Other members were: Morgan Bunker (North Surry), Emily Culler (North Surry), Sara Horton (East Surry), Kelsey Long (East Surry), Michaela Wall (Surry Central) and Miranda Clary (North Stokes).

North was also strongly represented on the all-conference team, highlighted by 2009 Northwest 1A/2A Conference Player of the Year Kara Hodges and Coach of the Year Shane Slate.

Joining Hodges on the Northwest 1A/2A all-conference team were: Courtney Campbell (North Surry), Nicole Rumplasch (North Surry) Summer Robertson (North Surry), Sara Parker (North Surry) Alysha Shelton (Surry Central), Whitney Joyner (Surry Central), Kelsey Long (East Surry), Keri Fulp (East Surry), Tia Joyce (East Surry), Ashton Boyles (North Stokes), Miranda Clary (North Stokes), Keely Daugherty (Bishop McGuinness), Lauren Cushing (Bishop) and Ashton McKinney (West Stokes).

Honorable mention honors went to: Skylar Davis (Mount Airy), Lauren Smith (Mount Airy), Michaela Wall (Surry Central), Brittany Tolbert (Surry Central), Morgan Chilton (East Surry), Hayley Shelton (East Surry), Morgan Bunker (North Surry), Emily Culler (North Surry), Mindy Bullins (North Stokes), Bria Priddy (North Stokes), Katie Davis (Bishop), Stephanie deGuzman (Bishop), Laken Reeves (West Stokes), Keeona Mitchell (West Stokes), Brittany Hairston (South Stokes) and Lauren Wall (South Stokes).