It’s title or bust this time around for MB volleyball. Why this one will be different

Larry Church felt this time something had to be different.

“Not this time,” the Myrtle Beach volleyball coach said as his team gathered for a postgame photo after winning its second straight Lower State 4A title. “I’m going to sit it out this time. Get back with me on Saturday, hopefully after we’ve won a state championship.”

Twice before – in 2011, and a year ago – the Seahawks played for a state championship, only to return home as runner-up. This time around, second place just won’t do.

Myrtle Beach will play Pickens on Saturday for the Class 4A state championship. First serve is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at Chapin High School.

“We lost in the state finals last year against Aiken, and came back with the expectation this year of being back in Columbia,” Church said. “We set that goal at the beginning of the year. … Of course, you take it one game at a time, but that was our expectation.”

A perennial powerhouse in their own right, the Blue Flame (22-2) earned the Upper State 4A title with a 3-1 (23-25, 25-22, 25-17, 25-10) win over defending state champion Aiken. They have won 15 state titles in program history, but this is their first appearance in the title game since 2014 – and first under coach Rikki Owens.

“For us, this has been a team bonding experience, honestly,” the Pickens coach said. “Our girls have really got together as a family. When I say that, we really put a lot of stress on not playing for self. They’re always second to each other, and they really have showed that throughout this season.”

Pickens has not lost since late September, a 2-1 defeat to North Myrtle Beach. Oddly, a loss to the Chiefs proved to be a turning point for Myrtle Beach as well.

The Grand Strand area rivals had split five meetings during the season, including a pair of Region 7-4A contests – both winning on the road.

Myrtle Beach’s was more important, though, as it claimed 3-1 victory in both teams’ region finale.

“Pressure helps tremendously. We had pressure in North Myrtle, we had to win out and beat North Myrtle Beach at their place to get (the Lower State 4A championship at home),” Church said. “(Tuesday night) we had to win to get to Columbia. So hopefully the pressure North Myrtle put on us is going to carry over to the state finals and come up with a bigger trophy.”

Comparing the 2016 edition to the current Myrtle Beach squad, one would tend to believe last year’s group was much more accomplished. Ahead of their clash with Aiken, the Seahawks were 34-1-1 and riding a 28-game win streak.

Church’s current group holds a modest 22-7-2 mark, with its losses coming to playoff teams like Blythewood, Carolina Forest, North Myrtle Beach, T.L. Hanna and Wando. According to Church, there was a purpose to scheduling such top-notch competition.

“We’ve seen the best competition in the state, we’ve seen it all year,” Church said. “With North Myrtle, (St. Joseph’s), who’s probably in the 2A final, Bishop England we’ve played, Wando we’ve played, Dorman we’ve played. We’ve played six of the teams that are likely to be in Columbia on Saturday.

“That level of competition is one of those things that will help us out this year.”

If nothing else, the pain of leaving the Midlands with unfinished business may prove to be enough.

“We’re ready this time,” said senior libero Lexi Watts. “Last year was our last time going to state, we didn’t know what to expect. It hurt to lose. This year we know what to expect, and we’ll be ready to play.”

This story was originally published November 3, 2017 at 3:54 PM with the headline "It’s title or bust this time around for MB volleyball. Why this one will be different."