Rosewood tops Goldsboro
By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on September 18, 2009 1:46 PM
One team got a victory and opportunity to improve.
One team took a baby step in a positive direction.
Rosewood swept Carolina 1-A Conference newcomer Goldsboro 25-11, 25-19, 25-20 on Thursday afternoon. The Eagles (4-6 overall) remained unbeaten in two conference outings this season, while the Cougars found plenty of encouragement from the three-set loss.
Rosewood raced out to an 11-0 lead in the first set thanks in large part to six consecutive service aces from Brittney Cabala.
Goldsboro pulled within 11-5 after Natalya Dungee's ace and back-to-back Eagles errors. Five kills down the stretch from Taylor Johnson and Megann Tyndall's ace allowed the Eagles to put away the opening set.
The Cougars battled back in the second set behind a resilient effort from Dungee. The senior middle blocker wreaked havoc at the net and her block on Johnson gave Goldsboro a 9-7 lead.
"This was night and day compared to the way we played on Tuesday at North Duplin," said second-year Cougars head coach T.J. Lancaster. "We competed, the girls moved their feet and we attacked. As long as we attack we can play with anybody.
"Being in a conference with schools in the area it gives the girls some pride to come out and play harder and it's good competition for us."
Dungee's kill later in the second set pushed Goldsboro's advantage to 15-10. Rosewood rallied with a pair of kills from Rachael Kornegay, and back-to-back kills from Johnson tied the set at 19-19. Tyndall served three critical aces and Johnson added a block as the Eagles finished off the second set.
"This is our third game for the week and we're a little tired, but it doesn't give us an excuse," said Rosewood head coach Jennifer Cochran. "We just didn't get pumped up today like we did on Monday and like we did on Tuesday. I think it's because Goldsboro is new to the conference and a lot of my girls played them in middle school and did real well.
"Goldsboro is a good team and they're going to get a whole lot better real quick."
The Cougars claimed an early 3-0 lead in the third set and led 5-4 before Kornegay reeled off three straight aces. Johnson pounded out four more kills in the final set and finished with 12 kills, 11 digs, four blocks, three aces and three assists for the match.
Alyssa Spell handed out 12 assists and Kornegay added eight kills, three aces and a block. Chelsea Sawkiw had seven assists and two digs.
"I thought we passed the ball well ... we just didn't play together," said Cochran. "We played as six individuals on the court. I think we've just got to play together. We've got to look to next week and make sure we're prepared."
Dungee's kill helped Goldsboro (1-10, 0-2 Carolina) trim the deficit to 19-15 late in the third set but the Cougars couldn't get any closer.
The Eagles entertain conference foe Spring Creek next Tuesday, while Goldsboro plays host to Princeton.