Southern Wayne’s volleyball team fell to Union Pines in opening-round action of the 2023 NC High School Athletic Association 3A playoffs Saturday evening. (Contributed photo)
CAMERON — Union Pines dominated from the opening serve and eliminated Southern Wayne 25-16, 25-11, 25-12 from the NC High School Athletic Association 3A volleyball playoffs Saturday evening.
Junior middle hitter Jy’Asha Cousins collected four kills and five blocks for the 26th-seeded Saints, who concluded the year 11-12 overall.
Taylor Lee dished out five assists and collected four digs. Karlie Lane provided six digs, while Kara Davis recorded three. Sophomore middle blocker Ilescia Warner supplied three blocks.
Gracie Hinson contributed nine digs and two service aces.
“Union Pines brought all the effort and momentum from point one in set one all the way to the last point in the last set,” SW head coach Hannah Walker said. “They had one really good hitter and a couple of good servers that we could not seem to stop. We did not come prepared to play our best game.”
Seven Saints played their final game — Lane, Hinson, Davis, Amya Smith, Lesley Elizalde, Lailah Moye and Karen Flores Gonzales.
“This season has been filled with highs and lows, lots of growth and a lot of hard work,” Walker said. “The girls came in in June ready to work and we set goals and made some more school history this season. I am proud of each and everyone of these seniors and the impact that they have made on this program.
“[We’re] looking forward to getting back to work next season.”
Quad County teams posted a 2-3 record in first-round action. Regular-season champion Hunt and South Johnston advanced, while West Johnston and Charles B. Aycock each endured a season-ending defeat.
Union Pines, the Sandhills 3A-4A runner-up, entertains Western Alamance in the second round Tuesday.
