Flyers Fall in Five Sets at Butler County in Mid-Atlantic District Championship

The Sandhills Community College volleyball team came up just short in a hard-fought five-set battle Saturday afternoon, falling 3–2 to Butler County Community College (14–25, 9–25, 25–20, 25–17, 10–15) in the NJCAA Mid-Atlantic District Championship.

After dropping the first two sets, the Flyers showed impressive resolve, storming back to take the next two frames and force a decisive fifth. Sandhills found its rhythm offensively in the third and fourth sets, hitting .167 and .360 respectively, but Butler's efficiency at the net and timely defense proved to be the difference down the stretch.

Freshman Taylor Miller led the Flyers' attack with 14 kills, three blocks, and 17 total points. Katelyn Bunting added 10 kills and contributed on two blocks, while Madison Scheffler was highly efficient, finishing with six kills on a .545 hitting percentage along with three block assists. Setter Averi Cuddeback tallied 20 assists and six digs, while Reagan Malpass matched her with 20 assists and added 10 digs. Defensively, Olivia Rosy anchored the back row with 21 digs, and Giannie Small served up three aces.

As a team, Sandhills posted 51 kills, 67 digs, and seven total blocks while holding Butler to a .175 hitting percentage over the final three sets after a hot start.

The loss brings the Flyers record to 33-3 overall as they now await their postseason fate. Sandhills will look to earn an at-large bid to the NJCAA Division III National Championship, scheduled for November 13–15 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The national selection show will air Tuesday, November 4 at 6 p.m. on the NJCAA Network.