APA prepares for playoffs in soccer, tennis, volleyball

Arendell Parrott will be preparing for the postseason in three sports.

On Sunday, the NCISAA released the playoff brackets, with the Patriots being represented in boys’ soccer, girls’ tennis and volleyball. In soccer, APA will face Caldwell Academy in a play-in contest Tuesday on the road with a chance to get some revenge for the season opener. The Patriots (4-14) fell to the Eagles (8-8) 7-0 on Aug. 13, but have their last three opponents — Cary Christian, St. David’s and Grace Christian are a combined 34-14 — very well, albeit in defeat.

In tennis, APA received a No. 2 seed and a first-round bye after an 8-3 campaign. The Patriots’ lone losses — twice to St. David’s, once to Cardinal Gibbons — are from teams a combined 36-4. APA will host the winner of Caldwell Academy and Southlake Christian Academy on Friday and a potential third matchup with St. David’s would come in the championship game Oct. 27, which would be held at Salem Academy in Winston-Salem.

After its second consecutive undefeated regular season, APA received the No. 2 seed in the volleyball playoffs and get a double bye. The Patriots (18-0) will host an opponent Saturday and if the top seeds continue to win, APA will have the chance to face Asheville Christian in the finals on Oct. 27 at Carmel Christian in Matthews. Last season, the Lions defeated the Patriots in a five-set thriller to spoil what would’ve been a 27-0 campaign.