Spring Creek upends So. Wayne

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on August 24, 2012 1:48 PM

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SEVEN SPRINGS -- Southern Wayne got close.

Spring Creek still managed to slip away.

The Gators rallied for a thrilling 25-8, 24-26, 25-16, 27-25 victory on Thursday night, and completed their regular-season sweep of the Saints.

"I thought we played pretty well and we kept our focus," Spring Creek head coach Deanna Morris said. "Even when we lost the second set and things weren't going as well we never got that 'deer in the headlights' look."

Spring Creek dominated the opening set as Southern Wayne struggled with its receiving game. The Gators racked up five service aces in the set and never trailed.

Southern Wayne fought back in the second set as Deborah Bennett found a groove hitting from both sides of the court and punished Gator defenders with several power shots. Elizabeth Best added a pair of kills late in the set that sealed the Saints' victory.

"(Bennett) played really well tonight and they were able to keep us off balance in that second set," Morris said. "She hit some balls hard in good spots, but she also placed some off-speed shots just over our girls at the net."

Spring Creek (3-1 overall) battled back and claimed the third set.

The Gators jumped out to an early 8-7 lead in the fourth before Southern Wayne rallied to tie the set at 11-11. The teams battled back-and-forth to the end as Southern Wayne built a 25-24 advantage.

Undeterred, the Gators rallied for the final three points of the match including the deciding ace from Sarah Ford.

Ford paced the Spring Creek attack with five aces and five kills. Olivia Martinez added five kills and four aces.

Bennett led the Saints (1-3) with 11 kills and two aces.

Spring Creek plays host to Eastern Wayne on Sept. 5. Southern Wayne travels to Rosewood on Tuesday.