Volleyball playoffs begin Saturday

The N.C. High School Athletic Association released its volleyball playoff brackets Thursday. First round of play begins Saturday.

Several Lake Norman-area squads made the postseason.

Lake Norman Charter, which was undefeated in its first season in the Southern Piedmont 1A/2A, claimed a No. 1 seed in the 1A playoffs, while Hough claimed a top seed in the 4A brackets after outlasting I-Meck co-champions Lake Norman in five sets 25-14, 21-25, 22-25, 25-23, 15-10.

Here are the draws for local teams, which are highlighted:

1A

No. 3 Mitchell (2-18) at No. 1 Lake Norman Charter (23-0)

WC Lincoln Charter (13-4) at No. 1 Albermarle (21-6)

2A

No. 5 East Burke (12-9) at No. 1 North Lincoln (14-10)

No. 3 Trinity (8-12) at No. 2 East Lincoln (9-9)

4A

No. 3 North Meck (18-8) at No. 1 East Gaston (13-10)

No. 2 Sun Valley (3-16) at No. 2 Lake Norman (20-5)

No. 5 Hopewell (5-18) at No. 1 Porter Ridge (11-11)

No. 4 South Meck (11-8) at No. 1 Hough (23-3)

No. 4 Mooresville (16-7) at No. 1 McDowell (17-4)

For links to the full brackets, visit the NCHSAA website.