With a dozen wins in its pocket, the Ashley Ridge varsity volleyball team is making some serious noise.
The Swamp Foxes had a fabulous start to this season to break into the South Carolina AA polls.
Last week, the team cracked the Top 5 in one poll, landing at the No. 3 spot.
“I was surprised when I saw we were ranked No. 9 earlier this season so reaching No. 3 is exciting,” Ashley Ridge coach Chi-Chi Hurley said. “However, we are going to have to work hard if we want to remain among the top ranked teams.”
The Swamp Foxes jumped out to a 9-2 start before stumbling a bit as it lost to region opponent Bishop England Sept. 29.
The Foxes bounced back, winning two straight to improve to 12-3 with a 5-1 standing in Region 6-AA.
The Foxes already avenged one of their three losses as they took Battery Creek in a rematch.
They won’t get another shot at AAAA Beaufort this season, but the Foxes do have a rematch scheduled with the Bishops Oct. 15.
That date is definitely on the Foxes radar screen, but Hurley says it’s important for her team to not get ahead of itself.
Ashley Ridge earned its second victory over region opponent Woodland (4-8) Tuesday, but the Foxes didn’t exactly dominate the match.
“We didn’t play our best,” she said. “We’ve had a lot of players out due to sickness and that has hurt us, but when we have everyone healthy and they are working together this team can be fantastic. We just need to make sure we keep this momentum going and don’t give up points to things such as not keeping our serves in.”
The Foxes earned a 25-15, 25-17, 25-18 victory at Woodland. Megan Turpin led the team with six service aces and a handful of kills. Kinsley Wade and Elizabeth Johnson also scored several points for the Foxes.
Ashley Ridge next plays at home against Cane Bay Oct. 13. The match is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Contact Roger Lee @ 873-9424 ext. 213 or rlee@journalscene.com.