Blue Devils sweep Warriors in volleyball

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on September 25, 2014 1:49 PM

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Eastern Wayne remains a work in progress on the volleyball court.

Constant skills work, set-play schemes and defensive coverage on blocking has been the main focus during recent practices.

But the Warriors, said first-year head coach Jackie Lewis, lacked endurance and it proved pivotal during a 25-15, 25-22, 25-13 loss to perennial 2-A power South Lenoir on Wednesday afternoon.

Lewis' team appeared lethargic at times and allowed the Blue Devils (10-3 overall) to rattle off long multiple-point runs.

"I feel like they were out-hustled tonight, they were slow on their feet, they didn't hit holes," Lewis said. "I think South Lenoir capitalized on hitting our holes where our defense was not. I don't have the depth where we can get back on defense and execute the plays."

South Lenoir served strong throughout the three-set affair and Eastern Wayne (4-9) labored with its serve-receive formation. The Warriors returned too many transition balls that allowed the Blue Devils to get numerous swings in their offensive system.

Eastern Wayne logged more than 40 digs as a team, but couldn't consistently put pressure on South Lenoir's defense. The Blue Devils finished with a 34-20 advantage in team kills, including an 11-kill output by sophomore middle hitter Laura Jenkins.

Senior setter Madison Herring, who has signed a softball scholarship to Campbell University, distributed a match-high 27 assists among seven different hitters.

Jenna Rouse, one of four EW seniors, just missed a double-double with nine assists and eight kills. Naheria Hamilton and Chelsea Wynn combined for seven kills and four blocks.

Sara Rice and Trisha Bell anchored the defense.

"I feel like we finished strong, were slow at times," said SL head coach Lisa Smith, whose team claimed its fifth consecutive three-set sweep and seventh overall this season.

"When they play together, like they did at the end, they do a great job. I've got some young girls on varsity (who) are stepping up now and getting a little more experience ... getting better."

The Blue Devils reeled off 10 of the first 12 points of the match. The Warriors climbed to within 13-11 on Wynn's solo block and an attack error, but could get no closer.

South Lenoir scored 12 of the final 16 points and took the set on an Eastern Wayne attack error.

The Warriors stayed within striking distance throughout the second set. Casey Young's kill off of Rouse's assist trimmed the deficit to 17-15. Young later served an ace to make it 19-18 in the Blue Devils' favor.

After a string of sideouts, Jenkins finished off Eastern Wayne with a kill and solo block against Hamilton.

Jenkins and junior outside hitter Taylor Bryan took over in the third set. The duo combined for nine kills and constantly scored against a double-block set up by the Warriors.

An attack error ended the match.

"We just couldn't catch a break that third set," said Lewis, whose team surrendered a 14-4 run. "They kept hitting that outside hole all the time. My players were tired, showed a lack of endurance."