Princeton crowned 1-A state volleyball champions

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on November 1, 2014 11:10 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

RALEIGH -- Princeton's volleyball team undoubtedly proved the adage that "defense wins championships."

Well, it was more Jenna Woodard and Taylor Carroll who validated the theory Saturday afternoon.

The duo combined for 53 digs and helped lead the Bulldogs to the pinnacle of their sport that culminated with a five-set triumph -- 26-24, 25-22, 15-25, 14-25, 15-12 -- over East Surry in the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-A championship match at historic Reynolds Coliseum.

Senior setter Charley Cox earned MVP honors with a 27-assist performance as Princeton (23-4 overall) won its third straight five-set contest in the playoffs.

"It was a complete shock, but I feel very blessed to be named MVP for the state championship," said Cox, who concluded the year with 741 assists. "I started varsity when I was in 10th grade. I feel like I've gotten better and more experienced each year. I feel like I've helped everyone catch up with that experience."

Experience certainly aided the Bulldogs on the back row.

Consistent touches on the balls at the net allowed Woodard, Taylor and Kelsey Peedin to spearhead a defense that recorded a jaw-dropping 108 digs. The trio handled the Cardinals' attack that came from all areas of the court -- particularly attempts from 5-foot-10 senior outside hitter Kacie Markle.

Markle finished with 15 kills, but had just four in the final two sets combined.

"I feel like that Taylor and Jenna, off that cross shot, they were able to set up off of our middle blockers' left shoulder real well and read that swing," said PHS head coach Paige Renfrow, whose team knocked off five top-seven seeds -- including two No. 1s -- on the way to the program's first-ever state crown.

"Right to start with in the first couple of sets, we had a hard time figuring out where she was going to go. When Taylor and Jenna are on the back line, and Kelsey, we're going to have touches on everything."

Taylor chimed in.

"We have a very good defense," she said. "It's like the best ever since I've been in high school and that's kept us going the whole time. Our offense is strong, but if a ball comes, you better believe we're going to get to it."

East Surry (29-2) claimed three-set sweeps over 25 opponents and had lost just eight of 95 total sets before it ran into Princeton, which bowed its neck and bared its teeth. The teams combined for 26 ties and 21 lead changes.

The Bulldogs trailed by six points on two occasions in the opening set before Kasey Edwards' solo block against Markle created a 24-24 tie. The Cardinals closed out the set with consecutive unforced errors.

Peedin's kill and Ricks' service ace turned an 18-17 deficit into a 19-18 lead in the second set. Hailey Wood came up with a solo block and Peedin served another ace the Bulldogs eventually pulled away to grab a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five match.

The Cardinals, who hadn't played a five-set match all season, answered with strong third- and fourth-set efforts. Princeton stopped attacking and fueled East Surry's comeback with numerous transition balls.

Like they did Tuesday against Lakewood, the Bulldogs came together in the final set. They covered the court like a blanket, kept Markle in check and broke a 7-7 tie with an 8-5 run.

Wood served an ace and Carroll delivered a monster kill that was untouched by the Cardinals' defense. East Surry surrendered six points on unforced errors including Cameron Sloop's off-speed shot that dropped into the net on championship point No. 2.

"I'm really proud of my team, we always come together," Cox said. "In the fifth set, we take it to them and we don't give up. We have the strongest defense that I know. That's what kept us in this game."

And led to a long-awaited victory that was years in the making and sweet moments in the tasting.

"It hasn't sunk in," Taylor said. "I'm still in shock."