HICKORY, N.C. – Every sport has its share of historical streaks – from Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak to Cal Ripken Jr.'s 2,632 consecutive games played to the UConn women's basketball team winning 111 straight games.
Now, the Catawba Valley Community College volleyball program has added its named to the annals of sports history. With this past Friday's 3-0 victory against Bryant & Stratton College in Norfolk, Va., the Red Hawks improved to an impressive 100-0 in their past 100 Region X, Division II games.
The Red Hawks last conference loss was on Oct. 8, 2011 against Pitt Community College.
The milestone was celebrated before Tuesday's non-conference match against Belmont Abbey.
"It's a crazy number," Hudson said of the 100th straight conference win. "I think it was really neat because we were playing Belmont Abbey, and one of our players from our 2013-14 teams — Aimee Cloninger — went on to play at Belmont Abbey, and she was here. She was actually one of the girls who started that winning tradition along with (CVCC assistant coach) Anna (Henderson), who is helping us now. It was neat to have both of them here for that tonight. They were part of the legacy."
The Red Hawks have also won 127 straight matches against Region X opponents in Divisions I, II and III with their last loss coming Oct. 27, 2011 against Division I Spartanburg Methodist.
"It's a good feeling to know that we've been able to carry that (streak) on," said CVCC sophomore Leslie Leonard. "We didn't know anything was happening before our match. It was a good surprise."
Everyone in attendance for Tuesday's game, including CVCC volleyball players, were given and displayed signs with the No. 100 on them, and head women's volleyball coach Shannon Hudson was presented with a special certificate by CVCC Athletic Director Nick Schroeder to commemorate the achievement.
"One hundred is a lot," said CVCC sophomore captain Ramsey Fulmer of the streak. "It's good to know that our hard work is paying off, we're winning games and dominating our conference."
CVCC (8-3, 4-0 in Region X) will try to add to its century-long streak this weekend at the Region X-travaganza held at the Tarlton Complex with four conference games against USC-Salkehatchie and Wake Tech, Guilford Tech and Pitt community colleges.