Union Pines will host an opening round state playoff match Friday in Bob Ward Gymnasium.

The Lady Viking volleyball team toughed out a five-set win against the Overhills Jaguars Wednesday in Lillington to earn the second seed from the Cape Fear Valley Conference.

The Jaguars and Union Pines finished the CFVC regular season tied for second place with identical 9-3 league records, both losing twice to Western Harnett, while splitting their head-to-head matches.

As a result, the teams met for a third time at Western Harnett High School. The 22-25, 25-22, 17-25, 28-26, 15-11 Wednesday victory secured Union Pines its first home playoff match since the 2006 season.

“I am just so proud of my girls,” Fish said. “One of our goals was to have a home playoff match. So we went into this match with the mindset of go get it — and they did, by giving it all they had and battling through the end.”

Junior captain Crystal Hicks finished with 10 kills, eight blocks and six digs for Union Pines, while her younger sister, freshman Tiffany Hicks, had seven kills and seven blocks in the tilt. Vike Sophomore Tyler Ross tallied 14 kills, seven blocks, four aces and ten digs. Lady Vike junior captain Morgan Bridgers totaled 23 assists. Lexi Byrd (12) and Brittany Erickson (10) led the team in digs.

It is only the second time since 1997 that Union Pines will host an opening round playoff match. Fish was a star player for the 1997 Viking team that made it through to the third round of the playoffs.

The Lady Vikes have now won nine of their last 11 matches and are 15-6 on the season. They will face Southern Guilford (16-6, Mid-Piedmont Conference third seed), in the first-round of the playoffs Friday at 6 p.m. in Cameron.

Contact F.W. Manning II at frankwm2@gmail.com.