Prep volleyball roundup

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on September 1, 2004 1:55 PM

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Scrappy Saints scare Golden Falcons before falling

DUDLEY -- Southern Wayne found itself two points away from snapping Charles B. Aycock's win streak in Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference play, but couldn't put its county rival away.

The Golden Falcons rallied from a two-set deficit to deal the Saints a 19-25, 22-25, 25-22, 25-20, 15-9 loss Tuesday afternoon. Aycock extended its ECC win streak to 18 matches and beat a county opponent for the 19th time in 20 tries since the league's inception in 2001.

"I don't think I have ever witnessed a better match on both sides of the floor," Saints coach Brian Bandy said. "These two teams went at it and gave each other fits all night long."

Southern Wayne led 23-18 in the third set, but couldn't convert the key points.

"We didn't attack the first two-and-three-quarters of the match," Aycock coach Davis Harris said. "They did a good job making us play their game. He's got some scrappy players over there.

"They serve real well, too, and I think that's a big difference."

Lindsey Newman led Aycock with 18 kills, while Stephanie Ballance provided 16 kills. Davis said his team received a strong match from junior outside hitter Kandace Burroughs and Kristen Paynter.

Jaimie Niemond led a balanced Saints effort with six kills, five aces, seven digs and six assists. Charlie Garten added four kills, three blocks, seven digs and four assists.

Katie Westfall contributed five kills, four digs, one block, two aces and five assists. Scarlett Joyner chipped in four kills, three aces, six digs and a team-leading nine assists.

Brooke Wiggins recorded two kills, five digs and one ace. Rachel Reynolds had two kills, seven digs and two assists. Samantha Otellio rounded out the Saints' offense with two kills, six digs, one ace and eight assists.

"I have to give credit to coach Davis and his girls," Bandy said. "They dug themselves out of a deep hole to win this match. After these last two conference games going five games with very good programs, I feel like we've earned some respect.

"But we'd much rather have the wins instead."

Southern Wayne (2-4, 1-2) entertains Wilson Fike this afternoon. Meanwhile, the Golden Falcons (4-1) travel to Princeton.

Hargis, Princeton seize

Carolina 1-A victory

LITTLEFIELD -- Nicole Hargis delivered six kills and four blocks as Princeton eased past Ayden-Grifton 25-22, 26-24, 21-25, 25-22 in the Carolina 1-A Conference opener for both teams Tuesday afternoon.

Kristen Parker provided nine aces and the Bulldogs scored 13 straight points on her serve in game two.

"We had great coverage on the court," first-year Princeton coach Trudy Rast said. "Nicole did a fantastic job at the net. Overall, I was pleased with the way the girls played."

Brittany Rose turned in a strong defensive performance with seven back-row digs. Kortnie Yutzy and Melissa Worley combined for five digs. Kaitlyn Haddock added a dig and a one kill.

Stephanie Daughtry and Sarah Gildos combined for four kills.

Princeton (3-3) plays host to C.B. Aycock this afternoon and travels to Spring Creek on Thursday.

Eagles, Jaguars

play marathon match

FARMVILLE -- Farmville Central stumbled in two of the first three sets, but rebounded for a tight 16-25, 31-29, 24-26, 25-23, 15-13 victory against Rosewood in Carolina 1-A Conference action Tuesday.

Jessica Hill collected a match- and season-high 20 kills to go along with six blocks and one assist for the Eagles. Frontline match Morgan Wheeler added six digs, six kills, six blocks and three assists.

Hannah Aycock contributed three digs, one kill, two aces and four assists. Kelli Gurley and Katie Morris combined for eight digs, five kills and three aces. Clare Narron provided one dig, one kill and four assists.

Kasey Grey chipped in seven kills and one block. Abigail Barrow dished out three assists.

"Great team play," said Rosewood coach Jennifer Cochran. "We showed a great deal of heart in a close match. Both teams played well and wanted to win. The ball just happened to bounce their way tonight.

"We will get better and fix the small things that hurt us tonight."

Rosewood (3-1) entertains Hobbton today.

West Carteret

defeats E. Wayne

Eastern Wayne continues to seek its first win of the season after a 19-25, 25-10, 24-26, 20-25 loss against West Carteret in Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference action Tuesday afternoon.

"We had a flash of brilliance, then fall apart again, but it's going to be fixed," Warriors coach Bruce Burridge said. "It's a work in progress. West Carteret was consistent and didn't change anything. They played their game from start to finish.

"We were up and down."

Eastern Wayne (0-7, 0-3) plays host to West Craven on Thursday.

Beddingfield claims

five-set thriller

WILSON -- Visiting North Johnston seized the first two sets against traditional 3-A power Wilson Beddingfield, but the Bruins rallied for a 12-25, 23-25, 25-13, 25-20, 15-10 victory Tuesday afternoon.

The Panthers suffered their first defeat in six outings.

"The last two sets we had a chance to pull away and we didn't step up and make the plays," North Johnston coach Nicole Davis said. "Hopefully we can use this loss to our advantage."

Davis' team is the guest of North Duplin on Thursday.

Gators knock

off North Duplin

CALYPSO -- Spring Creek opened its Carolina 1-A Conference schedule with a come-from-behind 26-24, 25-16, 26-24 win against North Duplin on Tuesday afternoon.

The Gators erased a 16-8 deficit in the third game to sweep the match.

Lorenda Brogden emerged the visitors' top server with two aces.

Spring Creek (2-3, 1-0) entertains Princeton on Thursday.

JV

Wayne Christian

evens record

Wayne Christian School improved to 2-2 on the season with a 25-6, 25-10 win over Faith Christian-Rocky Mount on Tuesday.

Alyssa Bradly tallied five aces and posted an 11-point run in the first game. Hannah Kaler added four aces and a 12-point run in the second set.

Kelly and Kaitlyn Kosuda combined for four aces, while Katie Strickland provided two aces.

The Eagles face Village Academy at home on Sept. 10.

Panthers still

seeking first win

WILSON -- North Johnston remained winless in three outings with a 25-17, 25-20 non-conference loss against Wilson Beddingfield on Tuesday afternoon.

"We started the game out kind of slow, but in the second set we made some improvements," Panthers coach Nicole Davis said. "They are starting to come around, but I'm looking for some leadership from my sophomores."

The Panthers travel to North Duplin for a Carolina 1-A Conference match Thursday afternoon.

Warriors claim

ECC road victory

Eastern Wayne swept West Carteret 25-22, 25-9 in an Eastern Carolina 3-A match Tuesday afternoon.

The Warriors (4-3, 2-1 ECC) entertain West Craven at 5 p.m. Thursday.

Golden Falcons

take league opener

DUDLEY -- Laura Thigpen served seven aces as C.B. Aycock rallied to defeat county rival Southern Wayne 19-25, 25-14, 25-12 on Tuesday afternoon in Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference play.

Lee Smith added three aces for the Golden Falcons.

Katie Connelley led the Saints' attack with an ace, two blocks and one kill. Teammate Lindsey Pearsall provided two kills. Brittney Smith and Michelle Joyner combined for two aces and five digs.

C.B. Aycock (3-1, 1-0 ECC) is the guest of Princeton this afternoon.

Gators fall

in Carolina match

CALYPSO -- Brittany Billups emerged the top server as Spring Creek fell 24-26, 19-25 against North Duplin on Tuesday afternoon.

The Gators (2-2) were playing their Carolina 1-A opener.

Princeton needs

three sets vs. Chargers

LITTLEFIELD -- Princeton's Tiesha Williams served five consecutive aces in the opening game and Brittany Atkinson provided three aces overall, but the strong serving efforts weren't enough in a 25-13, 24-26, 12-15 loss against Ayden-Grifton.

It was the Carolina 1-A opener for both teams.

"The team has improved greatly since last week," Bulldogs coach Holly Sullivan said. "All of the matches we've lost have been close. I am looking forward to our next game."

Princeton (0-3) entertains C.B. Aycock today.

Rosewood sweeps

Farmville Central

FARMVILLE -- Aubrey Reinhard turned in a solid floor game with four digs, three assists and two service aces as Rosewood, the reigning Carolina 1-A Conference champion, swept Farmville Central 25-14, 25-15 on Tuesday afternoon.

Ashley Williams and Courtney Hill combined for six digs and five kills. Kasie Braswell contributed five digs and one kill, while Roxie Phillips collected one dig, four assists and three aces.

Chandra Meadows (two digs, an ace, one kill) and Jamie Bold (one assist, one kill) also played strong in the straight-set win.

"We talked very well and played together as a group," Rosewood coach Jennifer Cochran said.

Rosewood (4-0) plays at home today against Hobbton.