The Kinston volleyball team learned one thing Tuesday night: You’ve got to talk.
The Vikings were defeated by Pamlico, 3-1 (25-22, 16-25, 19-25, 22-25) at home, going 0-2 to start the season. Along with multiple errors — from ball handling to serving to attacking — they just didn’t open up to communicate.
While there were many breakdowns on the Hurricanes’ side as well, Kinston couldn’t recover after winning only the first set.
“We haven’t had a whole lot of practice, and the girls are really working hard,” said Kinston first-year coach Leisa Evans. “We just need more work, more communication. We had some moments that they were playing awesome, and (there were) a lot of things I saw that were great.
“We just have to build on that.”
Kinston went on a major three-point rally in the game-deciding fourth set. Pamlico was up 24-18, and the Vikings capitalized off Canes errors and spoke up to hold them off. But it was an attack from Laichelle Sparrow that killed their hopes.
It’s back to the drawing board for Kinston when they host West Craven Thursday.
“We have a new coach, so we’re still working on that communication,” said senior middle hitter Elizabeth Proctor. “We’re not used to the way she does things. We’re not used to the rotation she’s running.”
Many Vikings left their defensive places under Evans’ rotation, making Pamlico’s 14 team kills hard to guard. Kinston matched the Canes' kills at 14, with junior middle hitter Lydia Rivers responsible for nine of them. She also led all in solo blocks with four, along with six digs.
Defensive moments were big for Kinston Wednesday, as only three of the 12-girl roster didn’t record a dig. Proctor had three herself.
Errors, especially of the serving type, poor passing and communication were the antithesis of Tuesday’s game, but Evans said the team will be on track in time for conference play.
“They’re playing hard, and if we keep it going, we’ll have a good season,” she said.
Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 and Jessika.Morgan@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.