Local digest

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on October 2, 2008 1:48 PM

• Print
• Email

SNOW HILL -- Greene Central captured its 15th consecutive Class 2-A Eastern Plains Conference women's tennis championship with a 6-3 victory over Tarboro on Wednesday afternoon.

The Rams, ranked No. 3 in the latest N.C. High School Tennis Coaches Association poll, improved to 15-3 overall this season and 7-0 in EPC play. Since 1994, Greene Central has won a phenomenal 147 of 148 conference matches with the lone loss coming to Tarboro in 2006.

The Vikings (12-4, 4-2) entered the match ranked No. 6 statewide.

"This was just a great tennis match," said Greene Central head coach Donald Clark. "Both teams showed why they are ranked in the top six in the state. Tarboro kept us off balance all day in singles, and it took a very strong performance by us in doubles to win this match."

In doubles, Elizabeth McLawhorn-Lauren Carraway, Abbey Dail-Jessica Gray and Samantha Taylor-Abby Sugg each earned a point. Taylor, Gray and Sugg each prevailed in singles. Sugg is unbeaten in 18 outings this season.

"Jessica turned in one of her best performances of the year today in singles and doubles," said Clark. "She has been a very consistent player for us all year long in the middle of the lineup. I was extremely pleased with her great ball movement and hustle throughout her match."

Greene Central concludes EPC play at home today against Farmville Central.

Soccer

Aycock prevails

WILSON -- Alex Rodriguez scored the game's only goal in the 20th minute and No. 2-ranked Charles B. Aycock turned back Wilson Beddingfield 1-0 in their Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference battle.

Rodriguez's score came off a rebound after his initial shot was stopped by Bruin keeper Troy Cashion. A senior forward, Rodriguez reacted quickly, booted the ball a second time and watched as it deflected off a Bruin defender and into the net.

Aycock outshot Beddingfield 22-5 on the night.

The Golden Falcons (14-0 overall, 6-0 ECC) entertain Kinston on Monday.

Field hockey

WCDS scores

Held scoreless in its first four outings this season, Wayne Country Day's field hockey team finally got on the board against Arendell-Parrott Academy on Wednesday afternoon.

Madison Bryan tallied the first-ever goal in program history off an assist from Karis Hawkins.

"It was a momentous occasion," said WCDS coach Catherine Tanner Stuber. "All of the girls played incredibly well. Shelle Anderson had a fabulous game clearing balls out of our defensive third as well as moving the ball upfield.

"(Goalie) Rebecca (Thompson) had some mind-numbing saves and her solid defense did a great job, as usual."

It was the final home game for seniors Thompson, Anderson and Danielle Holland.

Wayne Country Day (0-5 overall) visits Parrott next Friday.

Volleyball

Bulldogs bounced

AYDEN -- Princeton's regular-season title hopes took a hit as Ayden-Grifton prevailed 25-27, 25-21, 18-25, 25-21, 15-11 in Carolina 1-A Conference play Wednesday afternoon.

The Dawgs (9-4 overall) fell 21/2 games behind 2007 league co-champion North Johnston in the standings. The teams meet today in Kenly.

Ashley Braswell led Princeton's attack with 17 kills. Devon Murphey contributed 16 kills and five digs. Erin Schultz added five kills to go along with her team-high 24 assists.

Amber Wood played well defensively and totaled nine digs.

The Chargers, who got five kills from Beth Frazier, improved to 3-9 overall and 2-4 against Carolina Conference opposition this season.

Chargers roll

ROCKY MOUNT -- Wayne Country Day picked up a 25-13, 25-14, 25-19 victory over Coastal Plains Independent 1-A Conference rival Faith Christian of Rocky Mount on Tuesday.

Bridgette Briggs recorded 13 assists, six kills and a block for the Chargers. Brooke Norris contributed seven kills, four assists and two blocks. Jessica Lewis finished with nine kills, two blocks and an ace and Kim Martell had three aces and two kills. Kayla Flanagan provided two kills and an ace.

Wayne Country Day (14-2 overall, 6-0 CPIC) entertains Kerr-Vance Academy and Epiphany in a tri-match today. Play begins at 4 p.m.

Conquerors fall

Faith Christian dropped a 23-25, 19-25, 18-25 decision to N.C. Christian Schools Association Coastal Region 2-A foe Berean Christian on Tuesday.

Brooke Anderson finished with four kills, two blocks and two digs for the Conquerors. Kaitlyn Floars contributed five digs, two blocks, two assists and one kill. Rebecca Smith turned in five assists and two digs, while Aylssa Hill had three kills, two digs and a service ace.

Jennifer Christopher chipped in five assists, an ace and a dig. Madison Caudle added three kills and a block.

Faith (5-4 overall, 5-3 NCSAA 2-A) visits Neuse Christian on Friday.

Cross country

Rams finish second

SNOW HILL -- Greene Central claimed second place in its boys' cross country meet against Eastern Plains 2-A Conference rivals Farmville Central and North Lenoir on Wednesday.

Will Crandel paced the Rams with a time of 20 minutes, 52 seconds. Wes Sowers finished eighth overall in 22:19.

North Lenoir was led by Zack Beard, who finished thrid overall in 19:59.

On the girls' side, Greene Central captured first place in the team standings behind a strong effort from Mackenzie Moore (25:09). Skyer Whitfield and Samantha Taylor finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

JV sports

* Volleyball: Charles B. Aycock d. Kinston 25-19, 25-18 -- Connor Davis recorded nine consecutive points on serve for the Golden Falcons. Aycock (9-3 overall) travels to Wilson Hunt today.