Carolina-6 co-champion Chapel Hill easily handled Southern Guilford in three sets Saturday to lead the area’s volleyball teams in the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs.

In the NCHSAA 2A tournament, Cedar Ridge downed Kill Devils Hills’ First Flight 3-0 and Carrboro swept Pasquotank 3-0 Saturday. The Red Wolves (22-8) advanced to host Louisburg (14-9) in the second round, while Carrboro (13-10) had to travel to meet Northern Carolina champion Corinth Holders (19-6).

In the 3A tournament, Orange defeated McMichael 3-0 and, as a reward, got a rematch with Carolina-6 rival and defending state champ Cardinal Gibbons (15-3).

The Crusaders, who finished tied for first place in the Carolina-6 with Chapel Hill after those two split their regular-season matches, won the conference’s top seed after winning a playoff in Raleigh with CHHS.

Orange (15-6) lost its regular-season matches with both Chapel Hill and Cardinal Gibbons.

Playing at home Saturday, Chapel Hill beat the Storm 25-8, 25-13, 25-12.

Megan Blunden led the Tigers with 10 kills, while Perry Ramsey and Catherine Romaine each made nine kills and blocked three shots. Ramsey also served 10 aces; and Romaine assisted on another block.

Hannah Blackburn made a game-high 21 assists along with her 13 service points and seven digs.

Chapel Hill (22-5) advanced to host Eden Morehead (18-5) on Tuesday.

That match, along with all of the NCHSAA’s second-round matches, was played too late for today’s edition of the Chapel Hill News. See newsobserver.com and Sunday’s News for more results.

Playing on the road Saturday, East Chapel Hill ended its year at 5-18 after losing 3-1 at Apex in the NCHSAA 4A tournament’s first round.

East was the only local team eliminated.

The Cougars, the Tri-Nine Conference’s champions, improved to 17-4 and were to meet Raleigh Sanderson (14-6) in the second round.

W.E. Warnock