Chargers' inability to receive serve factors into four-set loss

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on October 3, 2008 1:46 PM

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Turnabout is fair play.

But, the stakes were higher this time.

Fueled by redemption, two-time defending Class 1-A Coastal Plains Independent Conference volleyball champion Kerr-Vance Academy refused to give up its crown Thursday afternoon. Senior middle hitter Chrissy MacInnes provided nine kills and three blocks as the Spartans avenged their lone league loss with a 25-21, 25-18, 19-25, 25-15 decision over Wayne Country Day.

The victory kept Kerr-Vance (17-3 overall, 5-1 CPIC) in position to earn a share of the title, and prevented the Chargers (15-3, 6-1) from winning it outright for the first time since 2001.

"When they took one in four (sets) from us at our place, it just really made our girls mad because we flat got out-played that afternoon," said Spartans head coach Paul Ross. "They were mad at themselves. Ever since that match, the only thing they've thought about is coming back here today.

"They came in very focused, alert and executed well."

Both teams are assured of berths in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association playoffs. Whoever claims the head-to-head battle will most likely seize the higher seed for the 12-team tournament, which will be announced in mid-October.

"They were very hungry (today)," said Chargers head coach Juliet Jones of Kerr-Vance. "I think when we went over there (and won), honestly, it kind of shocked them. We came out hungry over there. I told my girls all week long they are not going to let up because they want it."

Wayne Country Day capitalized on Kerr-Vance's hitting and ball-handing errors in game one. Jessica Lewis and Brooke Norris each served an ace, and Bridgette Briggs' kill off Norris' assist put the Chargers ahead 10-5. Ana Harris kept the play alive with a monster dig off Mary Hannah Ross' hard-hit cross-court kill.

But errors and basic fundamentals, particularly the passing game, soon haunted the Chargers. Ross served four consecutive aces to forge a 10-10 tie and the momentum slowly shifted.

Briggs' solo block and ace put WCDS back in front 12-10. Kerr-Vance, behind hitters MacInnes and Laura Killian, reeled off eight of the next 10 points. Anna Dickens' kill off Bailey Hughes' assist closed out game one.

The Spartans raced to a 6-0 lead in game two, but the Chargers pulled within 8-6. Service aces from Ross and Dade Oettinger, along with Ross' off-speed kill, extended Kerr-Vance's lead to 15-9.

"We want to serve tough," said head coach Paul Ross, whose team recorded 19 aces on the day. "If you can ace, great, but against good teams you're not going to get many aces. Placement (of the ball) means a lot."

Kerr-Vance benefited from numerous transition balls and pulled away for a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five match. The Spartans owned a 35-26 edge in kills.

Wayne Country Day captured game three behind strong net play from Norris (seven kills, four blocks) and its defensive specialists Sterling Coggins and Kayla Flanagan. The duo combined for 13 digs as the Chargers forced a fourth game.

Jones' team, however, couldn't keep the momentum.

The Spartans continued to flourish in their offense and capitalized on the Chargers' inability to receive serve consistently. Kerr-Vance scored six of its final nine points on aces.

"Strategically, they knew what to do and were very smart as far as placing the ball," said Jones. "We didn't have the opportunity to use our offense because we couldn't get the first pass up. If you can't do that, you're not going to be successful."

Briggs finished with nine kills, four blocks and 12 assists. Lewis added two kills and two blocks, while Kim Martell contributed four kills.

The loss snapped Wayne Country Day's 10-match win streak.