Aycock grounds Hawks in three sets

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on August 31, 2012 1:48 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- Charles B. Aycock followed a familiar script against Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference rival North Lenoir on Thursday afternoon.

The Golden Falcons dominated for two sets before letting up and holding on for a 25-22, 25-14, 28-26 victory in Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference play.

"We are going to make it interesting for sure," C.B. Aycock head volleyball coach Davis Harris said. "We have done that more than once this season. Get ahead early and slow down and give away the momentum, and let the other team back in it."

The teams battled back and forth through the first set before C.B. Aycock broke a 20-20 tie on a North Lenoir error and claimed the set. The second set was no contest as the Golden Falcons jumped ahead 21-5 and never looked back.

North Lenoir made the match interesting in the third set.

Led by middle hitter Deshona Cox, the Hawks rallied from a 13-4 deficit and ran off nine consecutive points to tie the set. The Hawks built a 17-14 lead only to watch the Golden Falcons tie it at 23-23 and eventually end the match on an ace by Meredith Burroughs.

"Other times this season we have gotten behind and been able to come back," North Lenoir head coach Heather Carson said. "C.B. Aycock is too good to get behind two sets and expect to win three in a row."

Cox paced the Hawks (6-2 overall, 1-1 ECC) with eight kills and six blocks. Dani Moulton added six kills and one block.

Emily Martin led the Golden Falcons with seven kills. Burroughs added six kills and one block. Madison Mercer tallied six kills and two aces.

"I thought Emily Martin played great all the way around," Harris said. "She had her best match of the year so far."

C.B. Aycock (2-4, 1-1) travels to South Johnston on Tuesday, while North Lenoir visits Triton.