C.B. Aycock spikers keep postseason hopes alive

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on October 16, 2009 1:46 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- Faced with a must-win situation, Charles B. Aycock delivered when it mattered most Thursday afternoon.

The Golden Falcons turned in a spirited performance and claimed a 25-22, 25-18, 25-23 victory over Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference volleyball rival Southern Wayne.

The Saints won a coin toss following the match and will play host to Aycock on Monday with the winner earning the fourth seed for the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs. The time of Monday's match has yet to be determined.

The Golden Falcons (4-13 overall, 3-7 ECC) reeled off eight unanswered points in the first set and held off a late Southern Wayne rally. Senior Beth Carter and Brooke Bell each recorded a pair of kills during the opening set.

Carter recorded two more kills and Aycock used an early 6-0 run to take control of set two. Brittany Jackson added five kills during the second set.

"We live to have a shot and we see what happens Monday," said Golden Falcons head coach Davis Harris. "It was big for us to win the first two, especially the second one. I just didn't want us to get over hyped."

The Saints struggled all match to find any type of flow offensively. Passes were off target, kills landed long and serving with consistency was an issue.

"We were not here at all today," said Southern Wayne head coach Eric Durol. "It was just like when Aycock was at our house and they came out flat. Basically, we returned the favor. Monday, whoever decides that they want it more is going to be the team that wins it."

Leading 17-13 late in set three, the Saints were in a position to extend the match. Aycock rallied behind kills from Jackson and Carter to finish off the match. Jackson finished with eight kills and Carter provided seven.

"We knew we had to have this one," said Harris. "We knew if we sat back at all it would be over. We would still have to play on Monday, but for what? This is a good way to finish out the regular season."

The Saints (3-13, 3-7) will look to regroup before Monday's pivotal rematch.

"We learned not to come out flat," said Durol. "It just didn't happen for us tonight."