Wayne Christian defeats Goldsboro in 4 sets

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on August 19, 2015 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

The experience factor belonged to Wayne Christian on Tuesday afternoon.

With nine returnees and the advantage of playing eight matches in two days during the inaugural Charger Cup last weekend, the Eagles' offense looked more fluid on the court Tuesday afternoon.

Goldsboro, with just three starters back, struggled.

"When you've got eight matches under your belt, you've already got cohesiveness, you know each other on the court," said GHS head coach TJ Lancaster, who lost six players during the offseason for various reasons.

"We've got some new girls and we've got to learn each other. (Wayne Christian) has that chemistry right now and we're building toward that."

Hope Shook and Hannah Sladick delivered four kills apiece during Wayne Christian's 19-25, 25-16, 25-14, 25-12 triumph inside Clifford Gymnatorium. Kasey Norris and Emily Wells dished out 14 assists apiece.

The Eagles posted a .140 hitting percentage as a team.

"I thought we started out a little bit slow after playing eight matches in two days (in the Cup)," Wayne Christian head coach Rick Moore said. "I changed a couple of positions and we worked through it ... settled down pretty good after that and pretty much played our game."

Goldsboro (0-2 overall) played an inspired first set.

Middle hitter Becka Pittard and setter Matti Rose Lyon worked well together and helped the Cougars cap the set with a 6-1 run that ended on Lyon's service ace. Pittard finished with a match-high 14 kills, while Lyon dished out a team- and match-best 13 assists.

But the Cougars didn't keep the momentum.

They lost their transition offense and surrendered too many free balls to Wayne Christian. The Eagles capitalized and broke 11-11 ties in each of the second and third sets with long runs.

"I liked set one, I really did," Lancaster said. "We had very little attacking last night (Monday vs. Eastern Wayne), and I think that was a great improvement tonight. We were getting more swings at the ball whereas our swing rate against Eastern Wayne was really poor.

"In sets two, three and four, we reverted back. (Offensively), we've got to buckle down and not feed (free balls). Against good teams, you can't do that because they're going to take advantage."

Wayne Christian (5-4) controlled the pace in the final three sets and served the ball well to disrupt Goldsboro's offense. The Eagles had 19 aces, including four each from Shook and Sladick.

Sladick and Ashley Harrelson emerged as the defensive leaders with 12 and 10 digs, respectively.

"I think we can play better," Moore said. "It's early in the season. We've got a lot to work on. Right now, I'm real pleased with where we're at."