Eastern Wayne claims ECC volleyball title

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on October 18, 2007 2:48 PM

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WILSON -- Less than 24 hours after carving up Kinston's defense with a strong service game, Eastern Wayne's Carrie Adams controlled the net Wednesday evening against Wilson Beddingfield.

Adams recorded a season-high six blocks during the Warriors' resounding 25-21, 25-16, 25-20 thrashing of the Bruins in the Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference volleyball tournament final. Adams added five kills, one service ace and eight digs for Eastern Wayne, which successfully defended its title.

"I just can't say enough about Carrie," said Warriors head coach Bruce Burridge. "She controlled (6-foot-4) Big Jean (Best) and had at least five blocks against her. Carrie just came up huge for us tonight."

Eastern Wayne (20-1 overall) avenged a five-set loss to Beddingfield nearly three weeks ago. The Warriors collected their fourth win against the Bruins in their last six meetings.

"The girls stepped it up," said Burridge. "They wanted to make up for the last time we played because they know they didn't play strong. They put their heart into this one and had it in their mind they were going to leave everything on the court.

"They did."

Senior setter Brooke Newsome recorded her second straight 40-assist game and is nearing the 1,600-assist mark for her career. She distributed sets to Brittany Billups (match-high 16 kills), Jordei Osby (11), Adams (5), Alysa Artis (7) and Anna Hajjar (6).

Newsome added one kill, one ace and eight digs in the 3-0 sweep.

Billups provided six aces, two assists, eight digs and one block. Osby notched one assist, one dig and six blocks. Artis (five digs), Regan Stoneburner (eight digs) and Brianna Williams (team-high 12 digs) covered the floor well against the Bruins.

Eastern Wayne improved to 22-2 against ECC opposition, including tournament play, since 2006. The Warriors have won 37 of 41 matches overall during that same stretch.

"It's a total team effort ... the players and my coaching staff, Deniz Alemdar and Kevin Daniels," said Burridge. "We're just all in synch and everything is working now."

The Warriors entertain a wild-card entry in the opening round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A playoffs on Saturday. Game time is tentatively scheduled for 4 p.m.