Thursday, October 1, 2026
®
The World's Local News Source®
Cherryville, NC (WNN)- The postseason and competition season have kept many Cherryville High School teams and groups busy. There were tennis playoffs and a band competition over the weekend, followed by the volleyball state playoffs to kick off this week.
All teams and performing arts groups are making great showings and giving Ironmen faithful many reasons to be proud. Cherryville might be a small school, yet the name is being made hard to forget with so many successful students.
Coach Brandon Shull has done a remarkable job with the women's tennis team this season. This team has been competitive with some tough opponents all season long. Six young ladies qualified to play in the North Carolina West 2A Regional tournament at Elkin High School in Elkin, NC, on Friday, October 17th.
West Regional 2A Qualifiers and coaches.
Submitted by Brandon Shull
In the first round of the singles competition, Elissa Dickerson (Elkin High School) defeated Grace Wells (Cherryville High School), and Sydney Johnson (East Wilkes High School) won against Laney Jones (Cherryville High School). The first round of the doubles team's competition saw Ava Darnell and Emerson Simmons (East Wilkes High School) overcome the team of Morgan Wray and Laney Spangler (Cherryville High School). Baily Bryant and Ava Freeman (Cherryville High School) advanced to the second round by defeating the team of Allie Brooks and Mia Francis (Alleghany High School).
In second-round action, Baily Bryant and Ava Freeman (Cherryville High School) would fall to Gabriela Gadani-Gutierrez and Jacklyn Nickson (Highland Tech). This was the last event of the season for women's tennis. Losing only one player to graduation, this team should be strong for the next several seasons. Congratulations on all that you each accomplished this season.
This group has completely bought into Band Director Cole Crawford's philosophy of success. This group of young men and ladies has been making quite the name for themselves across the marching band competition circuit this season.
Saturday, October 18th, was their latest conquest at the Freedom Classic Band Competition. I say conquest because no other word better describes a third straight first-place overall rating for the band in Class 1A!
They also received first place in percussion, second place for color guard, and drum major took third place. Additional hardware earned was first place in music performance, general effect, and visual performance. The accolades did not stop there; the Marching Ironmen also scored a rating of Superior with a score of 82.645. You can see them perform during halftime Friday night in the final home football game of the regular season.
Coach Leigh Kiser and her girls continue to make Cherryville High School and Gaston County history. Richard Walker, Gaston County's official statistician, confirmed on Monday, October 20th, that Coach Kiser is indeed the winningest women's volleyball coach in Gaston County history. She initially set the record on October 1st at 198 wins; however, it still needed to be verified against official records.
Coach Kiser, after setting the Gaston County record for most victories on October 1st.
Brian Kiser
Her record now stands at 203-185 in 16 years at Cherryville High School. She has also coached at Shelby High School and John Chavis Middle School. Her combined career record is 268-235. She now holds the records for most overall victories in Gaston County and most wins at a single school. Twelve of her sixteen teams have made the playoffs. Coach Kiser has used her proven success to bring out the best in her teams.
The current team made school history on Tuesday, October 21st, by advancing to the third round of the NCHSAA State Playoffs with a home victory over Bradford Prep. The Lady Ironmen won by a score of 3 sets to 1. The girls came out looking rested and full of energy. The first set was close with multiple ties early. After several lead changes, Cherryville went on an extended scoring run and led 23-15 before Bradford scored again, but Cherryville closed it out, winning 25-16.
Cherryville Women’s Volleyball Team from a match on October 13th.
Kelly Rent
The Lady Ironmen began the second set building an early lead, but Bradford Prep went on a run and took a 6-point lead. CHS began a rally, but Bradford stopped it and began pulling away to an 8-point lead. Cherryville kept chipping away, but Bradford had too much momentum and they won the set 25-17. The third set began with Bradford still carrying some momentum from the previous set, as they led early by 3.
Cherryville battled back to tie and then capture the lead. Their biggest lead was by 8 points before holding on to win 25-19. The final set began with the Lady Ironmen taking a 5-point lead; it appeared Cherryville was ready to deliver the knockout punch. Bradford was not ready to give up easily, as they kept chipping away. The set would be tied at 13-13 before Bradford took the lead. Cherryville tied it again at 15-15. There would be a battle back and forth and several more ties. The last tie occurred at 21-21.
The next point came on a pivotable call that the officials changed several times. Initially, it was awarded to Cherryville before saying it was Bradford's point; next, they conferred and awarded the point back to Cherryville. A similar close call came on the next point as well, and it was also awarded to Cherryville. The Bradford players and coaches thought differently than the officials. The Lady Ironmen went on to close out the set and the match, winning the hard-fought set 25-23.
The CHS Lady Ironmen Volleyball team's final score. October 21st,2025
Cherryville Ironmen Athletics
Coach Kiser said, "The team bought into the scouting report and played the best match of the season. I can't say enough about how well our team fought and played." Several players turned in outstanding performances. Emily Allen had 22 assists, nine kills, and six digs. Kate Mulvey had her best match of the season with five aces and 15 kills. Camryn Shirely anchored the defense with 11 digs. Sophie Williams added five kills. Jenna
Anthony and Raylei Gidney each had three blocks. This match was certainly a team effort. The Lady Ironmen will now play in the third round of the NCHSAA State Playoffs as they travel Thursday, October 23rd, to take on the #2 seed Corner Stone Charter Academy in Greensboro, NC. We wish you continued success in your quest for a state title.
For further WNN articles and news stories, visit https://wisenewsnetwork.com
For more WNN video news stories, visit YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wisenewsnetwork
Contact WNN at newsdesk@wisenewsnetwork.com
North Carolina Press Association Member
©️Copyright 2025 Wise News Network. All rights reserved.
