The North Stanly volleyball team has been a force at home all season. The Comets entered the 1A state playoffs with an 8-1 mark at home, including seven straight wins within the columbia-blue walls of the Comets’ home gymnasium.

After winning at home in the first round Tuesday, the No. 8 Comets hosted No. 24 Elkin, who had upset No. 9 Hiwassee Dam in the opening round in three straight sets.

The two teams split the first two sets but the Comets took the final two sets in close outcomes, winning in four sets over the Elks.

Scores of the match were 25-23, 16-25, 25-22 and 25-21 in favor of the Comets (18-3).

Taegan Lowder led North Stanly with 14 kills. Nicole Lowder added 12 kills while leading the Comets with seven total blocks. Merris Talbert had nine kills along with a team-high four aces for North.

Payton Lowder paced the North offense with 14 assists while Alex Childress added 12 assists.

The Comets advanced to play the top seed in the Western region, the East Surry Cardinals (23-4), at 5 p.m. Saturday. The Cardinals survived a strong five-set challenge from No. 16 Starmount, winning with scores of 25-23, 25-20, 20-25, 23-25 and 15-9.