C.B. Aycock volleyball downs Eastern Wayne

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on October 18, 2011 1:48 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- Charles B. Aycock did not play its most inspired match of the season Monday night against Eastern Wayne in the opening round of the Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference volleyball tournament.

In the end, the Golden Falcons won and advanced to the semifinals with a 25-15, 25-17, 25-12 triumph over their county rivals. C.B. Aycock plays host to South Johnston tonight at 6 p.m.

"This time of the year all you can do is win and play again tomorrow," said Golden Falcons head coach Davis Harris. "I think we were a little lethargic in the first two sets, but we started attacking more as the match went on and that is when we are at our best."

C.B. Aycock jumped out to a 13-4 lead in the opening set, only to watch as Eastern Wayne rally for nine consecutive points to tie the set. Meredith Burroughs pushed the Golden Falcons back in front with a pair of kills.

Connor Davis finished the Warriors off with four aces as part of a nine-point scoring run.

The Warriors challenged again in the second set when Rachel McCollum tallied back-to-back kills and tied the set at 11-11. Again the Golden Falcons responded when Davis powered down two kills and put Aycock ahead for good.

"I thought our defense did a good job, we just don't have the hitters to match up," said Eastern Wayne head coach Tony Parrish. "We dug a lot of balls out and got our hands on a lot of balls, we just didn't turn those opportunities into offense."

McCollum led the Warriors with five kills. Stephanie Smith added three kills. Four other Eastern Wayne players each recorded one kill.

C.B. Aycock rolled through the third set and sealed its trip to the ECC semifinals. Burroughs paced the victors with 10 kills and two blocks. Davis added 10 kills and six aces. Madison Mercer tallied five kills.

"We are going to have to turn up the intensity each day as the tournament goes on," said Harris. "We would really like to get another chance to play Triton (in the finals), but we have to beat another good team to get there."