Kinston's Lesley Sutton looks to send one over the net in Monday's game against Havelock. Photo by William 'Bud' Hardy / Neuse News

By Junious Smith III

Kinston looked to put an end to a long skid in its volleyball season opener Monday against Havelock.

Unfortunately, the Rams didn't oblige in a 25-22, 19-25, 25-21, 25-8 contest. As a result, Kinston has gone 44 games without a victory, the last one coming on Oct. 13, 2015 to Greene Central.

Still, Havelock coach Matthew Spencer said he saw great progression with Kinston Monday and believes there will be brighter days.

"They've gotten tremendously better, and we knew we were in for a tough match in someone else's house," Spencer said. "(Coach Stephanie Ybarra) has that program rolling and I believe they'll upset someone in conference play.

"Their defense and passing is tremendous and they've got hard-hitting servers who should only get better as the season progresses."

The first set of Monday's game featured six ties and two lead changes. A Zykia Andrews service ace put Kinston ahead 7-5 in the first set, but Havelock used a 10-3 run to establish control. The Vikings got within 23-21 after a Nikylah Williams ace, but the Rams closed the set out.

Kinston came out with a fervor in the second set, as a Lesley Sutton block and Jamyia Mitchell service ace punctuated a 6-0 start. The Vikings never looked back, going up by as many as 20-8 and withstanding a Rams' rally by scoring the final four points of the set.

"Getting out to that advantage definitely helped us when it came to positivity on the court," Ybarra said. "Our confidence was higher and we were able to push harder."

Havelock started the third set with a 7-1 run and stretched the advantage to 14-6, but Williams had three aces in a 7-0 spurt to get Kinston back into it and Tamera Wooten's ace gave the Vikings a 16-15 lead. The Rams fell behind 18-16, but an 8-2 run helped the team take back momentum and eventually, the set.

In the fourth set, Havelock scored the first 10 points. Kinston scored the next four, highlighted by a Sutton ace and Quiaira Powell kill, but the Rams went on a subsequent 6-0 run and never let their advantage get under 11 to close the game out.

Ybarra said there were positives to take from the game and the team can only improve from here.

"The seniors definitely have unfinished business to take care of this season, and they've improved year by year," Ybarra said. "They want to finish the year with a bang.

"I am proud of the team, especially with the first game of the season. We played well for the first three sets, but we will have a chance to see Havelock again."

The Vikings travel to face the Rams Aug. 29, and their next game is on the road against Southern Wayne Wednesday.