Aycock falls to Wilson Hunt

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on August 15, 2012 1:48 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- Charles B. Aycock learned a valuable lesson in its first volleyball game of the season on Tuesday night.

There is never a good time to let off of the gas pedal.

The Golden Falcons dominated the first two sets before eventually falling to archrival Wilson Hunt 25-22, 25-17, 16-25, 21-25, 15-17.

"I think we played aggressively the first two sets and jumped ahead," C.B. Aycock head coach Davis Harris said. "Then we lost the momentum and it felt like we started playing not to lose."

The Golden Falcons cruised through the opening set as hitters Madison Mercer and Meredith Burroughs paced the offense. The story was the same in the second set as C.B. Aycock raced to loose balls and set up a potent attack.

Hunt adjusted in the third set and began running their entire offense through middle hitter Kiana Ballard. The Warriors' leader did not disappoint as she led the squad to a 25-16 third-set rally.

"(Ballard) really took over the game in the third set," Harris said. "Early we did a good job of scoring points when she was on the back line. As the match went on, she started to get in rhythm and she kept them in it."

After a disappointing fourth set, the Golden Falcons appeared to be back on track in the winner-take-all fifth set. C.B. Aycock had a chance to win the match on serve with a 14-13 lead. Ballard tied the game with a kill and the Warriors rode the momentum to a 17-15 victory.

Ballard finished with 14 kills and eight blocks. Alex Williams added nine kills and six blocks for the Warriors.

Mercer led the Golden Falcons' attack with nine kills and four blocks. Burroughs chipped in eight kills and two blocks.

"I think there was a lot in this match we can learn from," Harris said. "We will keep getting better and ultimately tonight will help us."

C.B. Aycock (0-1 overall) plays host to South Central today.