UPSTATE – The Pickens High School Volleyball team’s hopes for another state championship were shattered Wednesday night as they lost to Riverside in the third round of playoff play.

After defeating Greenville 3-0 and Lugoff-Elgin 3-2 in the first two rounds, Pickens played a tough Riverside team and lost

in four games 1-3.

It was a tough couple of matches for the Blue Flame team, playing close games each time. Riverside won the first game 26-24, followed by a Pickens win 25-16.

But it was all Riverside from there, winning 29-27 and 27-25.

Riverside will continue on to play for the Upper State title on Wednesday night against Daniel.

Daniel moved forward by defeating Eastside in the third round. Daniel defeated JL Mann and Chapin 3-0 in the first two rounds.

Head Coach of the Lady Lions Joy Stewart said,

“I’m so excited for this team. They have gained confidence in their winning and have grown as a team with each win.

"They have worked hard on their mental game and believing in themselves. Each year they finish in second place, and this year they believe they will finish on top," she continued. "They understand that they have to play as a team to win.”

The winner of Upper State will play the winner of Bluffton and Camden for State on Nov 7 at White Knoll High School at 4:30 p.m..