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.

Wildcats earn I-Meck's Wachovia Conference Cup

After winning titles in baseball, girls' track, girls' soccer and softball, Lake Norman claimed the Wachovia Conference Cup for the I-Meck 4A this year. Mallard Creek secured second place after winning the I-Meck's boys' track and field title.

The Wachovia Conference Cup is awarded to schools with the best overall interscholastic athletic performance in their conference. According to the N.C. High School Athletic Association, points are awarded based on participation and standings in conference play. Each conference determines its own method of awarding points.

Here are the complete I-Meck Wachovia Conference Cup standings:

1. Lake Norman -124

2. Mallard Creek - 103

3. Mooresville - 94

4. Hopewell - 92.5

5. Hough 91.5

6. North Mecklenburg - 85.5

7. Vance - 51

8. West Charlotte - 34.5

Mustangs claims SPC 1A/2A cup

East Lincoln beat out North Lincoln by two points to claim the Southern Piedmont 1A/2a Wachovia Conference Cup after winning the conference's baseball, girls' soccer and softball championships this spring.

These are the SPC Wachovia Conference Cup standings:

1. East Lincoln - 171

2. North Lincoln - 169

3. Lincolnton - 152

4. West Lincoln - 146

5. Highland Tech - 125

6. Cherryville - 115

7. Challenger 78

8 Bessemer City - 70