Spring Creek completes regular-season sweep of Southern Wayne

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on August 23, 2013 1:49 PM

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rhanchett@newsargus.com

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Spring Creek is off to the kind of start that head coach Deanna Morris was hoping for this season.

After a strong summer and a series of good practices, the unbeaten Gators appear in mid-season form. Spring Creek handed county rival Southern Wayne a 25-5, 25-16, 25-5 defeat on Thursday night.

The Gators swept the season series from the Saints.

"I have seen what this team can do in practice," Morris said. "So I expected us to come out strong, but to start with two wins in the first week gives us some nice momentum."

Spring Creek (2-0 overall) opened the first set with a quick 12-3 run that was aided by a pair of kills from Rachel McCollum. Sarah Ford delivered back-to-back service aces that made the score 18-4 and put the set out of reach.

Southern Wayne battled back in the second set and took an early 6-3 lead. A kill and a block on consecutive plays by Katelyn Williams put the Saints ahead 14-12, but the visitors could not sustain the momentum.

Two aces from McCollum pulled the Gators even and a pair of unforced errors by the Saints gave Spring Creek the lead for good.

Tied at 5-5 in the third set, Olivia Martinez stepped to the service line. Martinez proceeded to rip off 20 consecutive points and the Gators rolled to victory.

"We served the ball really well and our outside hitters did an excellent job of converting their chances," Morris said. "We still have some things to work on as far as passing and rotating, but overall I like where we are as a team."

McCollum led Spring Creek with 11 kills and five aces. Martinez added six aces and two kills. Sarah Ford had four kills and two aces.

Latrecia Johnson paced Southern Wayne (0-3) with three kills and two blocks. Williams finished with two kills and one block.

Spring Creek will entertain Wayne Christian on Monday. Southern Wayne is the guest of North Lenoir on Wednesday.