Lineup shuffle continues to work for Rosewood

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on September 16, 2011 1:49 PM

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Rosewood showed no ill effects of a midseason lineup shuffle and bested county rival Goldsboro in three sets 25-13, 25-8, 25-13 on the Carolina 1-A Conference volleyball scene Thursday night.

The Eagles were playing without middle hitter Ellen Morgan, who sat out with an undisclosed injury. Her status for the Eagles' three matches next week is uncertain.

"We had to move some people around and play some girls that haven't gotten much time so far this season," said Rosewood head coach Jennifer Cochran. "I was pleased with how the team responded and how everybody played together no matter who was in."

The Eagles raced out to a 9-2 lead in the opening set and never looked back.

In the second set, the Cougars dictated the tempo early. Goldsboro built a 7-6 lead on the strength of three kills by Brandy Johnson, but watched as the Eagles rallied back behind a strong service game from Laura Vinson.

Rosewood scored 14 consecutive points, including five aces by Vinson, and won the set going away.

"I don't know who that was tonight out there playing, but it wasn't Goldsboro High School," said Cougars head coach T.J. Lancaster. "We are ten times better than what we showed tonight."

Rosewood wrapped up the contest by scoring the first six points of the third set and cruising to the finish. Anna Ingram recorded five kills to lead the Eagles. Kerri Jo Gurley recorded three kills and three aces in the win.

"I thought we covered pretty well and I though Meagan Tyndall did a good job setting for us," said Cochran. "We earned this win by serving well the whole match."

Johnson paced the Cougars with four kills, two blocks and an ace. Kasheika Wallace added three blocks and two kills.

Goldsboro (4-6 overall, 0-2 CC) travels to Clinton on Monday. The same night Rosewood (9-2, 2-0) will hit the road to take on Midway in a makeup game from earlier in the season.