Eastern Wayne battles Hunt in three-set defeat

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on September 2, 2009 1:46 PM

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Eastern Wayne could not overcome a disappointing first-set defeat in a 26-24, 25-8, 25-18, non-conference loss to Wilson Hunt on Tuesday afternoon in New Hope.

The host Warriors claimed a 20-16 lead in the opening set on the strength of back-to-back kills by Carissa Turner. Undaunted, Hunt battled back within one point on three consecutive service aces by Caroline Tippett.

Eastern Wayne benefited from consecutive unforced errors by the visitors to claim a 24-22 advantage, but could not hold on as Hunt scored the set's final four points.

"Winning is an attitude and we aren't quite there yet," said Eastern Wayne head coach Tony Parrish. "Even when we were ahead late in the first set, Hunt still expected to win and that's how they battled back."

The visiting Warriors dominated the second set.

Taylor Barbee delivered three kills as Hunt rolled to a 14-3 advantage. Eastern Wayne never recovered en route to a lopsided loss.

"That second game was just a mess," said Parrish. "I don't know what happened, but we stopped moving and we couldn't get anything going offensively."

The host Warriors battled back in the third set.

Hunt (3-4 overall) raced out to a 9-4 advantage on the strength of three aces from Amber Parrish, but Eastern Wayne pulled within one when Morgan Smith took over the service line and scored four consecutive points.

The teams traded points until Hunt's Roslyn Nixon belted back-to-back kills and pushed the visitors ahead 21-17. Hunt never relinquished the advantage.

"We played much better toward the end and we played a respectable game," said Parrish. "I try to tell the girls that a big part of volleyball is making the other team earn the victory and we did that in the third set."

Turner led Eastern Wayne with five kills and two blocks. Smith delivered three aces. The Warriors scored seven points with Emily Sparks on serve.

Eastern Wayne (1-5) will host Spring Creek today.