Myrtle Beach made quick work of rival Socastee on Tuesday, sweeping the visiting Lady Braves 25-16, 25-9, 25-7 to remain undefeated in Region VIII-AAA play.
The Lady Seahawks (15-6, 7-0) swept their seventh straight region foe, duplicating the feat from earlier this season at Socastee.
But Myrtle Beach is playing heads and shoulders above the level it was when it defeated the Lady Braves last month thanks to a wake-up call in the Sept. 24 Tournament of Champions in Dorman.
“Ever since we played in that tournament, our team has had a different mindset,” said Myrtle Beach coach Larry Church, whose team placed seventh in the talented 16-team tourney field. “Little things like going after balls and keeping them off the floor and working together better as a team. It’s great to see it happening.”
Part of the growth process involved an ankle injury during the tournament suffered by junior Meagan Milligan, who returned to the court for the first time Monday.
Without the 6-foot-1 striker in the middle, the rest of the Lady Seahawks elevated their play. With Milligan back on the floor against Socastee, the Lady Seahawks looked unstoppable.
Sophomore Shelby Sheets led the Lady Seahawks with 13 kills and the team combined for 16 aces as they dispatched the Lady Braves in less than 45 minutes.
Myrtle Beach plays three straight road games before a big Oct. 13 showdown with North Myrtle Beach, which is currently second in the region after sweeping Georgetown on Tuesday. The region tournament tips off Oct. 18.
- Photo provided by Digital Magic (www.digitalmagicphoto.com)
