Concord and Northwest Cabarrus will both host first-round NCHSAA 5A West volleyball playoff matches Saturday, Oct. 17.
The Spiders, seeded 13th, take on 20th-seeded Enka at 2 p.m. The Trojans, seeded 16th, face 17th-seeded Rockingham County at noon.
Both matchups were set when the NCHSAA released its playoff brackets Wednesday, Oct. 14, according to the Salisbury Post. Seeds 9 through 24 play first-round games, with the higher seed hosting. The top eight seeds earned first-round byes and will not play until the second round Tuesday, Oct. 20.
As we reported Oct. 15, both teams secured their postseason spots through the South Piedmont Conference. Concord enters the playoffs at 13-11 overall and 7-7 in conference play, fourth in the SPC. Northwest Cabarrus is 9-12 overall and 4-10 in conference, finishing sixth.
Concord head coach G. Osborne's squad drew a favorable first-round opponent in Enka, which carries a 5-15 record into the postseason, according to MaxPreps.
Northwest Cabarrus faces a tighter matchup. Rockingham County earned the 17th seed, just one spot behind the Trojans. The Trojans hold a 6-5 home record this season, according to MaxPreps.
Both teams enter the bracket coming off losses in the SPC tournament. Concord beat East Rowan 3-2 in the first round Monday, Oct. 12, before falling to Jesse Carson 3-0 in the semifinals Tuesday, Oct. 13. Northwest Cabarrus lost to West Rowan 3-0 in its opening match Oct. 12, according to the Salisbury Post.
Seven of the eight SPC teams earned playoff berths. Jay M. Robinson was the lone team left out.
Winners Saturday advance to the second round Tuesday, Oct. 20.
