Most of the Conference Carolinas action has died down, whether it be because of idle time or stepping out of league play for a host of teams. Things get back going in full force this week, as Barton resumes its chase toward defending the league title, while others behind them look to stay on their tale along with a crowded middle of the pack in the conference.
With new story-lines emerging and a new season of sorts in league play commencing, VolleyMob will be giving conference updates. Below is analysis as well as the weekly Conference Carolinas table, awards, matches of the week and power rankings:
CONFERENCE CAROLINAS TABLE:
| TEAM | CONF. | OVERALL |
| (RV) Barton | 9-0 | 12-6 |
| King | 8-1 | 11-5 |
| Mount Olive | 7-2 | 11-9 |
| North Greenville | 4-5 | 9-10 |
| Emmanuel | 4-5 | 7-10 |
| Belmont Abbey | 4-6 | 6-11 |
| Limestone | 3-6 | 6-12 |
| Erskine | 1-7 | 4-11 |
| Lees-McRae | 0-8 | 2-13 |
WEEKLY HONORS:
MATCHES OF THE WEEK:
- Mar. 14: Charleston at Belmont Abbey
- Mar. 16: Belmont Abbey at Limestone
- Mar. 16: Mount Olive at Emmanuel
- Mar. 17: (RV) Barton at Emmanuel
- Mar. 17: Belmont Abbey at King
VOLLEYMOB CONFERENCE CAROLINAS POWER RANKINGS:
- Barton
- King
- Mount Olive
- Emmanuel
- Belmont Abbey
- North Greenville
- Limestone
- Erskine
- Lees-McRae
BACK IN ACTION
- (RV) Barton Bulldogs
Barton had an off week after they stretched their winning streak to seven matches, allowing them to reset for the final run in Conference Carolinas play. In fact, just seven Conference Carolinas matches remain for Barton, including the highlighted meeting with King on the road on April 6. They also get Mount Olive at home the match before on April 3. While that means next month will truly be the deciding factor for the Bulldogs, another key to a championship is winning the matches you are supposed to. Their next three come on the road, with two against league foes, most notably at Emmanuel on Saturday.
NOT TOO FAR BEHIND
- King Tornado
King also had an off week after they dipped into non-league play with losses against top 10 teams in Lewis and Loyola Chicago. Things pick back up this week against Belmont Abbey and Bluefield in a Saturday double-header, where only the first match counts toward their Conference Carolinas‘ standing. After that though, it’s the most important stretch of the regular season, with four consecutive road matches that is immediately followed by home meetings with Barton and Mount Olive. The ladder will be the headline, but keeping their pace in that road trip to avoid falling more than a match back of the Bulldogs will be just as crucial.
FADING
- Mount Olive Trojans
Mount Olive has now lost six of their last nine matches, including three in a row. Fortunately, just two of those have come in conference play. It seems like even though they are just two back with matches still ahead against first and second in the conference that they are fading a bit. A meeting with a middle-of-the-pack team in Emmanuel is an opportunity to snap the streak and once again focus on league play, as they look to shake things off in the final month of play in getting ready for the postseason tournament.
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