Bruins pick up three-set win at CBA

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on September 10, 2008 1:19 PM

• Print
• Email

PIKEVILLE -- The opponents change for Charles B. Aycock but the problems remain the same.

The Golden Falcons (2-5) struggled to convert free balls into points, never took control of the net and appeared to lack cohesion in 25-8, 25-18, 25-12 loss to Wilson Beddingfield on Tuesday.

It was the Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference opener for both teams.

The Bruins (7-1 overall) owned game one from the outset, racing out to a 9-1 lead and never looking back. Numerous Aycock hitting errors, coupled with multiple kills by Jamie DeRatt and Monique Spry helped bury the Golden Falcons in a 21-4 hole.

Aycock recorded consecutive points just twice in the opening frame and Casey Elliot's block put an exclamation point on the game's final point.

"We've got to keep our composure and get our passes," said Golden Falcons head coach Davis Harris. "It's all going to start with our passing before we can go into anything else. I think confidence is an issue any time you're out there playing hard and you're not seeing the results."

Aycock led 10 different times in game two and as late as 15-14, but was unable to capitalize. Three kills from Beth Carter helped the Golden Falcons take a 9-5 advantage.

However, four consecutive unforced errors allowed Beddingfield to even the score. A pair of service aces from Spry and Shaniqua Clay's ace put the Bruins in front 13-10.

Carter's block gave Aycock its final lead of the game at 15-14. DeRatt and Spry contributed kills down the stretch to help Beddingfield close out game two.

"At times we were right there and to me free balls killed us again," said Harris. "I thought Anna Sullivan, for us, played the best match she's ever played. She was all over the floor. Her digs and her passes were good.

"But, we still mishandled some passes and we've got to get more in attack mode than sitting back and waiting for the other team to make mistakes."

A pair of kills from DeRatt, a kill by Clay and eight Golden Falcons errors gave the Bruins an 11-1 cushion in game three. DeRatt tallied six kills in the final game as Beddingfield dominated the net and Aycock couldn't find an answer.

"DeRatt is an incredible player," said Harris. "She puts pressure on everybody, the front line and back line. You never know where she's going to hit it, she does a great job. When DeRatt's up there, they control the net."

Torie Benton and Victoria Jackson each recorded two kills in game three for the Golden Falcons.

Aycock travels to Kinston on Thursday.