DEEP RUN --- It wasn’t the strongest South Lenoir has played this season, but the Blue Devils still managed a sweep.
They downed Greene Central Tuesday 3-0 (25-12, 25-17, 25-14),continuing an undefeated East Carolina 2A record. The Rams, who started off about level with their competition in the first set, lost their spark in a game against a seemingly unhurried South Lenoir team.
“We came out slow, but we started playing together,” SL coach Lisa Smith said. “We cheered more than we did the other night, granted it was a closer game at times, but we have to remain a family no matter what.”
Early unforced errors from the Blue Devils awarded a few points to the Rams, but such blunders hurt Greene Central much more throughout the game. The Rams sparred well with the Blue Devils early on, but they let all three sets go without the fire power to spark a comeback.
South Lenoir recorded 20 kills to Greene Central’s five. GC Coach Jason Campbell made adjustments on the net, hoping for blocks.
Both teams blocked twice, respectively.
While the Rams dug themselves into a 20-7 hole in the second set, they did rally for seven points before the game ended. After every play, disappointment showed in their faces.
“(Confidence) is what we’ve been battling just about every year, I wish I knew why that is,” Campbell said. “We’ve had some good fight the first few games (of conference play), we just haven’t been able to put it all together.”
Greene Central host Goldsboro today.
“We’ve just been inconsistent throughout,” Campbell said.
Wednesday, when the Rams would score an ace, for instance, they would follow up by giving away a serve.
Serving was clutch for the Blue Devils in the victory, as Maecy Croom dished 10 aces.
“She’s been serving well and that helps us out,” Smith said of Croom. “Our serving, for the most part, is going to be very dangerous. They’ve been hitting their spots.”
And the Devils can eye open spaces. After rallying in the second set, outside hitter Rachel Dawson connected with Madison Herring for back-to-back scores for the Blue Devils. Dawson had five kills while Herring recorded 16 assists.
Rams setter Paige Chase only got off two successful assists in the match, while Sara Carr led Greene Central with three kills.
Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 and Jessika.Morgan@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.
