Gators injuries critical in defeat

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on October 3, 2008 1:46 PM

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Find the weakness and attack.

With Spring Creek forced to fill holes caused by injuries, Rosewood took advantage of the Gators' inexperienced back line and earned a 25-22, 25-15, 25-22 victory in Class 1-A Carolina Conference play on Thursday.

Spring Creek owned a 6-1 lead in game one before the Eagles began to dominate play around the net. Taylor Johnson pounded out four kills to go with two blocks in the opening frame.

Johnson's kill evened the score at 13-13 and Karen Babb's block put the Eagles in front 21-19. The Gators closed to within 24-22 before Caroline Tart's kill closed out game one.

Spring Creek (6-6 overall, 3-4 Carolina 1-A) was without the services of hitter Kristin Smith, who was battling an injury, for the final two games. Shaquita Brooks suffered an ankle injury early in game two that limited her mobility for the remainder of the match.

Not only did the Gators miss Smith's presence at the net, but they were forced to substitute younger, more inexperienced players into the match.

"Our defense on the back row had a hard time digging up some of those hits," said Gators head coach Deanna Morris. "Not having Kristin made a difference because she's my senior and my captain. The girls work hard, but they just don't have the experience and the knowledge of the game.

"We haven't really practiced without Kristin because we're not used to her being hurt."

Tart capitalized on Spring Creek's youth with her ace early in game two and five different Eagles tallied kills during the second frame.

A pair of kills and a block from Johnson extended the Eagles' lead to 10-7. Rachel Kornegay added a pair of kills and Megan Church's ace finished off game two.

"When things like that happen you have to take advantage of it," said Rosewood head coach Jennifer Cochran. "Kristin is probably one of the best hitters we have in the conference."

A block and a kill by Brooks helped the Gators even the score at 5-5 early in game three. Johnson answered with a pair of kills and Jennifer Hall provided back-to-back aces to give Rosewood an 11-6 advantage.

Chelsea Sawkiw assisted on a pair of kills by Tart and Hall added a kill to stretch the Eagles' cushion to 17-12.

Kills by Brittney Collier and Randi Oxendine along with a kill and block from Brooks pulled Spring Creek to within 23-22. The Eagles (5-9, 3-4) responded with kills by Sawkiw and Johnson to finish off the Gators.

"Kristin not being in there made a difference in the game," said Cochran. "And then when (Brooks) got hurt that made a difference. I don't think either team was motivated today, I think it was kind of like going through the motions.

"I think Taylor and Paige (Babb) connect very, very well, especially when the back row gets them the pass. Megan Church did an excellent job on the back row. She's the glue that holds us together."

Rosewood travels to North Duplin on Tuesday and Spring Creek visits North Johnston.