Golden Falcons take three-set win over Warriors
By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on October 9, 2009 1:46 PM
Charles B. Aycock, little by little, has been making strides toward turning the corner.
The Golden Falcons took another step in the right direction with a 25-19, 25-23, 25-17 win at county rival Eastern Wayne on Thursday evening.
Tia Jackson hammered out five kills in the opening set as Aycock used a 9-0 run to seize control at 15-6. The Warriors closed within 24-18, but couldn't complete the comeback.
Eastern Wayne tallied eight unanswered points to claim a 13-7 advantage in set two. Aycock's Brittany Jackson provided four kills during a stretch in which the Golden Falcons reeled off nine consecutive points and went ahead 15-14.
The Warriors held a 23-20 cushion before kills from Jackson and Beth Carter fueled an Aycock rally to close out set two.
"One of our main goals has been to get some momentum going in matches," said Golden Falcons head coach Davis Harris. "I think we have a lot of confidence playing Eastern Wayne around the net because they don't have the blockers that we're used to."
At times Eastern Wayne resembled a volleyball team positioned near the top of the Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference standings. The Warriors (4-16 overall, 0-8 ECC) served well, held their own around the net and covered the floor defensively. In other moments, kills sailed long, serves failed to clear the net and there were lapses in communication.
"We're so close, but we just don't know how to win yet," said Eastern Wayne head coach Tony Parrish. "There are times when we look like a good volleyball team and there are times when we look bad. We have two regular-season games left, and the girls still come practice and they don't quit.
"We've just got to learn how to win."
Carter recorded four more kills and a service ace in the third set. Jackson finished the match with eight kills.
"We're playing much better," said Harris. "Even in the losses to North Lenoir and South Johnston we played extremely well. We still can make the playoffs. We control our own destiny in that. I think we've just come together."
Aycock (3-12, 2-6) visits Triton on Tuesday, while the Warriors are the guests of Southern Wayne.