PREP VOLLEYBALL: WCDS wins tournament, ends long skids against opponents

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on August 12, 2018 3:11 AM

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From staff reports

Mia Bolechowski earned Most Valuable Player honors and Wayne Country Day defeated Oakwood 18-25, 25-18, 25-18, 26-24 to claim its first-ever Charger Volleyball Tournament crown Saturday afternoon.

Call it a redemption tour.

Wayne Country Day (5-0 overall) snapped losing streaks against Wayne Christian (eight games), Oakwood (nine games) and Epiphany (four games) during the two-day affair contested on its home court.

The Chargers turned back Wayne Christian 25-15, 25-15.

Next came a 25-23, 25-22 sweep of Oakwood.

Epiphany presented a stern challenge before WCDS pulled off a 26-24, 25-15 win and claimed the No. 1 seed in the single-elimination portion of the tournament.

Coach Haleigh Wilhide's team returned Saturday morning to post a 25-13, 25-8, 25-8 triumph over Epiphany. The three-set decision set up a championship meeting against Oakwood, which knocked out Wayne Christian.

The Eagles seized the opening set until the Chargers found their rhythm and prevailed 18-25, 25-18, 25-18, 26-24.

"I am extremely proud of my girls over the past two days," WCDS head coach Haleigh Wildhide said. "We have only had a few practices and changed up our lineup a few times, and we finally settled in. [The] girls played with intensity and remained focused, all the while working as a team.

"Every player has a huge role on this team and this weekend we were able to showcase that and dominate. They are hungry and this weekend was a great kickoff for our season."

Bolechowski cranked out a team-leading 58 kills and served 12 aces.

Junior Grayson Jeffreys contributed 36 kills and 19 aces, while Whitney Hoskins pounded out 21 kills. Lexi Jeffreys supplied 14 kills and nine aces. Jala Holloman, the team's lone senior, collected 19 kills.

Cate Eagles distributed 50 assists, put down 23 kills and logged nine aces. Shae Odom, a transfer, passed out 45 assists and had 10 aces.

Katie Strickland turned in a solid floor game -- 16 kills, 33 digs, 13 aces and nine assists.

Wayne Country Day entertains Faith Christian of Rocky Mount on Monday and Harrells Christian Academy on Tuesday. The Chargers are the guests of The O'Neal School on Thursday.