Hawks ease past C.B. Aycock

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on October 2, 2009 1:46 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- North Lenoir finally sealed the deal.

After dropping three previous five-set matches, the Hawks pulled out a 19-25, 25-23, 25-15, 17-25, 15-5 win at Charles B. Aycock on Thursday.

Marissa Lanier pounded out three kills and added a service ace for the Hawks in the pivotal fifth set. Courtney Hill contributed a pair of kills as North Lenoir rebounded after dropping the fourth set to close out the match.

"We just kept coming at them and kept coming at them and we kept hoping to find some holes, and I guess we did," said Hawks head coach Heather Carson. "I guess they knew they had to take control of it and go with it. Hopefully we'll take it and know how important our passing is and defensively get our passes under control."

The Golden Falcons used a 6-0 run midway through the fourth set to gain a 16-10 advantage. Beth Carter provided two kills and a block down the stretch. Cassidy Anderson's ace and Conner Davis' kill helped finish off the fourth set.

Lanier recorded three more kills in the third set. Hill supplied four kills, a block and an ace. Aycock pulled to within 16-13, but struggled with consistent passing and finding an answer for Lanier and Hill.

"I think our passes got better where we could be more effective at the net," said Carson. "There were times we were running all over and we couldn't get our offense set up. I think our passes got under control and we started making some things go at the net."

The Golden Falcons led 21-17 in set two before North Lenoir went on an 8-2 run to close out the set. Six unforced errors plagued Aycock (2-10 overall, 1-5 ECC) late in the second set.

Carter tallied two kills, two blocks and an ace in the opening set as the Golden Falcons won six consecutive points to finish it off.

Aycock head coach Davis Harris wasn't pleased with the loss, but couldn't have been prouder of the effort turned in by his team.

"We were right there," said Harris. "I think they stole game two from us. I think the girls realize if they'll put out that kind of effort and play hard, it not only makes them have more fun but they're putting themselves in a position to win.

"We were all around the net, playing hard and covering well."

North Lenoir entertains Southern Wayne on Tuesday, while the Golden Falcons travel to South Johnston.