Fall sports are in full swing across the Charlotte area, and whether you are a parent or interested party, keeping up with everything can feel overwhelming. Our fall sports guide highlights the dates you need on your calendar to keep track of high school programs throughout the Queen City.
North Carolina High School Athletic Association | 4A
Cross Country
Important dates:
Nov. 2 and Nov. 9 mark regional and state competition, respectively.
High school highlight :
As a sophomore, Cora Cooke placed fourth at states. Her junior season is off to an inspiring start. She won the Myers Park Cross Country Invitational on Sept. 7, with a time of 19:31.84.
Last season, the Myers Park Mustangs finished third at states, for their first top 10 finish in over a decade. The Mustangs also won the Western 4A regional championship. Can they improve on their performance in November?
Golf
Important dates:
Regional action will take place on either Oct. 21 or 22. The state championship will take place on Oct. 28 or 29 at Pinehurst No. 5.
High school highlight:
Hough senior Chloe Pittman finished seventh at states last year; the best finish from a Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools golfer. What does her senior season hold? Well she is already setting records. She shot a 31 at the Women’s Golf I-MECK 4A match at Tradition Golf Course. Not only is that a career low for her, but it is also a school record and an I-MECK 4A record. Her score sits fourth in the NCHSAA record book.
When she is not on the golf course, she is kicking butt in a Spartan Race.
Tennis
Important dates:
Athletes playing tennis compete in a unique set up known as individual (Ind) and dual teams (DT). The latter equates to teams competing as a whole. Individual regional competition takes place Oct. 18-19. Winners advance to individual state competition on Oct. 25-26. The DT brackets are set on Oct. 14. Round one takes place on Oct. 16, followed by the second round on Oct. 22, and the third round on Oct. 28. DT regionals are set for Oct. 30. The season culminates in a fight for state glory on Nov. 2.
High school highlight:
Jenna Thompson aims to go out on top. The South Mecklenburg senior has won the NC 4A State singles championship her first three years of high school, all while remaining undefeated. Over the summer, she spent two weeks in California training. Before she heads to Clemson to play tennis, she intends to defend her high school crown one last time. However, the National High School All-American also intends to help her team beat rivals Providence and Ardrey Kell.
Volleyball
Important dates:
Postseason play runs from late October through early November. Here is a breakdown of dates. Seeding comes out on Oct. 24, which determines when teams will play. Then the action begins on Oct. 26 with the first round of the playoffs. Winners advance to the second round on Oct. 29. Those who survive and advance to the third round get to play on Halloween (Oct. 31). Nov. 2 marks the fourth round, followed by regional competition on Nov. 5. The winner takes it all on Nov. 9 at the state championship.
High school highlight:
Ardrey Kell and Mallard Creek are off to roaring starts. Both are on six-game winning streaks. Mallard Creek is 10-2 overall and 4-0 in I-MECK. Ardrey Kell is also 4-0 in SoMeck, 9-2 overall.
North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association | 4A
Cross Country
Important dates:
All the action takes place at McApline Creek Park. Get ready for the Charlotte Independent School Athletic Association championship meet on Oct. 15. Then prepare for the state championship on Oct. 25. Charlotte schools swept third through sixth during states last year. Charlotte Latin took third. Providence Day School finished fourth. Covenant Day placed fifth, and Charlotte Country Day secured sixth. Keep an eye on their push for success next month.
Names to remember:
Plenty of young runners impressed last season. Keep an eye on Providence Day sophomore Ashley Horwitz, who finished fifth at states last fall. Fellow sophomore Mary Schluesner from Charlotte Latin also snagged a top-10 finish last season, securing ninth place as a freshman. Charlotte Country Day upperclassman Sophie Spada finished seventh at states last fall. These are just a few runners to keep an eye on as the season progresses. Charlotte is filled with talented female athletes.
Field Hockey
Important dates:
The state tournament begins on Oct. 15. Quarterfinal action is scheduled for Oct. 18, followed by the semis on Oct. 22. Can Charlotte Latin win their fifth consecutive state title in the final on Oct. 26? The Hawks beat the Charlotte Country Day Buccaneers in double overtime in last year’s championship game. However, the first meeting of the season between the two sides went to Country Day. They beat the Hawks 1-0. Their next match up takes place at Latin on Oct. 2.
Season so far:
Providence Day School has an 8-3 record. Country Day stands 7-2-2. Covenant Day is 5-1. Latin sits 4-4.
High school highlight:
The Buccaneers won the St. Louis Gateway Classic earlier this month.
Golf
Important dates:
The Charlotte Independent Schools Athletic Association conference season concludes on Oct. 15. Top performers advance to state competition in Pinehurst on Oct. 21-22 at the Country Club of Whispering Pines-Pines Course.
Looking ahead:
Alexis Sujianto led a fierce team for Charlotte Latin last season, leading them to second place in the CISAA and NCISAA, but what will the Hawks look like without her when postseason play comes around? Now the task lies with senior captain Gabby Cacheris, who was part of last season’s squad.
Tennis
Important dates:
It all starts on Oct. 15 with the first round of state playoffs. Quarterfinal action takes place on Oct. 18. The semifinals are set for Oct. 22, culminating in the state championship on Oct. 26-location TBA.
Season so far:
Charlotte Latin stands 5-1. Providence Day is 4-3. Charlotte Christian is 3-2, and Charlotte Country Day is 3-5.
Volleyball
Important dates:
State playoffs begin on Oct. 15 at the higher seed. The quarterfinals on Oct. 18, as well as the semifinals on Oct. 22 will also be played at the team ranked higher. However, the championship game will take place on Oct. 26 at North Raleigh Christian Academy.
Season so far:
Charlotte Country Day is off to a 10-3 (1-1 in conference) start, and they are on a two-game winning streak. Charlotte Christian is 8-6 overall; 1-2 in conference. Providence Day is 6-3 overall; 1-1 in conference. Covenant Day is 2-1 in conference, on a three-game winning streak and 5-5 overall.
