Wayne Country Day spikers fall in NCISAA 1-A semifinals

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on October 26, 2008 2:00 AM

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When you have two all-state selections on your volleyball team, chances are very good you'll contend for championships on the conference and state levels.

Wayne Country Day did.

The Chargers shared the Class 1-A Coastal Plains Independent Conference regular-season title, and made their first-ever appearance in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association final four on Friday.

However, Wayne Country Day's benchmark season ended with a 25-17, 25-18, 25-15 loss to No. 1-ranked Statesville Christian. The Lions successfully defended their state title with a three-set sweep of Crossroads Christian on Saturday.

"The girls really fought hard and they really wanted it, but Statesville capitalized on our errors," said fifth-year WCDS coach Juliet Jones. "We made a lot of errors too early in the games, which cost us the match. Granted, Statesville is a very well-coached team.

"(But) we could have been more competitive if we limited our errors."

Senior Bridgette Briggs, who made the all-state team, dished out nine assists to go with six kills and two blocks against the Lions. Fellow senior Brooke Norris, also an all-state selection, contributed one service ace, four kills, one block and two assists.

It was also the final match for Jessica Lewis, who supplied one ace, two kills and two blocks. Kim Martell and Kayla Flanagan recorded five kills and five digs, respectively.

Wayne Country Day (19-5 overall) eliminated perennial power Cresset Christian 25-18, 25-20, 25-15 in quarterfinal-round play, and claimed its first playoff victory since 2000. The Chargers ended an 0-for-7 run that included two losses on their homecourt.

Briggs passed out a match-high 13 assists and punched out nine kills against the Eagles, who have played for five state championships on either the 1-A or 2-A level since 2000.

Norris' solo block against left-handed hitter Megan Webber closed out the opening set. The CPIC co-player-of-the-year, Norris finished with nine kills, six assists, five digs and two blocks.

The teams battled through six ties in the second set. Lewis' tip capped a set-ending 7-2 run and gave Wayne Country Day a commanding 2-0 advantage in the best-of-five contest. Norris' tip and Flanagan's service ace finished off the Eagles, who lost in the quarterfinals for just the second time since 2000.

Lewis played her best game of the postseason, including the CPIC tournament, with eight kills and three solo blocks. Flanagan, a senior, and Martell paced the defense with 11 and 12 digs, respectively.

"The team played very together," said Jones of the three-set sweep. "They really executed and took advantage of our offense. They came out really strong and I am proud of their effort."

Jones is expected to return five varsity players next season.

"I am truly proud of the girls' effort this year," said Jones. "I am blessed to have such wonderful girls who, day in and day out, work out and give me everything they've got. We have made many strides this year.

"I am truly grateful for that."