Second-year head James Kenan volleyball coach Katina Farrior watches her team from the sideline during a recent match. The Tigers let a two-set lead slip away against South Lenoir on Tuesday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
WARSAW — James Kenan continued its early-season improvement on the volleyball, but couldn’t close out East Central 2A foe South Lenoir on Monday evening.
The Blue Devils claimed a come-from-behind 18-25, 25-17, 23-25, 25-22, 15-5 victory inside Harmon Gymnasium.
Shylah Sloan paced the Tigers logged team-high efforts in kills (seven) and blocks (three), and served three aces. Front-line mate Y’Anna Rivers contributed four kills, three aces and three blocks.
Jourdan Joe served a team-best six aces and provided two kills. Sienna Pender collected three aces, while Alayjah Wright supplied two kills and three aces.
Ava Jones registered three kills and two digs. Kierra Williams stuffed her stat sheet with two kills, three blocks and four digs.
James Kenan (5-5 overall, 0-2 ECC) returns home Thursday to face Kinston.
Saints drop heart breaker
SMITHFIELD — Southern Wayne appeared poised to snap a six-game skid Tuesday afternoon at Quad County 3A volleyball foe Smithfield-Selma.
However, the Spartans battled from a two-set deficit and defeated the Saints 18-25, 15-25, 25-14, 25-19, 15-13. The Spartans claimed their first win of the season after nine consecutive losses.
Southern Wayne logged season highs in team blocks (16) and digs (58). Jy’Asha Cousin collected nine blocks, while Jurnae Ammons had five. Mylee Wiggs and Morgan Brimberry each set career highs in digs with 18 and 12, respectively. Jacey Hargrove dug out eight balls, while Alysa Smith had five.
Cousins pounded out 12 kills, while Wiggs had 10. Ammons delivered five kills.
Southern Wayne (2-8 overall, 0-5 QCC) travels to Wilson Fike on Thursday.
Cougars sweep Rebels
CALYPSO — Reigning Carolina 1-A co-champion Neuse Charter dealt Rosewood a 25-15, 25-22, 25-20 loss Tuesday evening.
Tateyawna Faison paced the Rebels with seven kills and seven blocks. Maggie Brown contributed five kills, while Eva Quintanilla posted five kills.
Junior setter Lilly Fulghum provided 15 assists, seven digs and three aces. Ady Spence recorded four digs and served two aces. Abigeal Norris Brown had two aces and two solo blocks.
Libero Marissa Bernal logged 19 digs, while Iala Overton had five.
North Duplin (5-4 overall, 0-1 Carolina) entertains Lakewood on Thursday. Neuse Charter (8-4, 1-0) picked up its 30th regular-season conference victory in its last 31 outings plays host to Hobbton the same evening.
You may reach sports writer Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call/text 919-709-9257.
