Arendell Parrott Academy’s Virginia Edmondson goes up for a kill in Wednesday’s match against Thales Academy. Photo by William ‘Bud’ Hardy / Neuse News

By Junious Smith III

Arendell Parrott Academy's volleyball team has taken on tough competition all season, but got a bit of a reprieve Wednesday.

The Patriots defeated Thales Academy 25-5, 25-10, 25-13 to improve to 6-1 on the season. Alli Grant Avery led the way with 10 kills, Virginia Edmondson added nine kills and four service aces and Lauren Richardson provided nine aces and eight assists.

"Thales Academy is just getting started with their program and we had some tough matches earlier this season, but we played well," APA coach David Barnes said. "We could've looked lethargic out there, but we played efficiently and I was able to play all of our girls. I'm thoroughly pleased with our efforts in Sets 1 and 2, and everyone got to see the court in Set 3."

APA started the game on a 10-1 run, highlighted by two Avery kills and a pair of Richardson aces. Thales Academy (1-8) recorded the next point, but Johnna Tyndall's kill sparked a 6-1 run as the Titans wouldn't come within 12 in the first set.

Thales Academy scored the first three points of the second set, but APA responded with a flurry. Jorja Tuten’s three service aces, two aces from Edmondson and kills from Grant, Edmondson and Mackenzie Pope highlighted a 15-1 spurt to swing momentum in the Patriots’ favor. The Titans wouldn’t get within 10 and fell behind 2-0.

“This game wasn’t as competitive as other matches we’ve had this season, but it’ll prepare us for games against Coastal Christian and Caldwell Academy later on,” Pope said. “It really builds up confidence.”

Richardson posted six service aces and Gisell Cervantes added another during an 11-2 start in the third set for APA. Thales Academy got within 13-8, but the Patriots rattled off five straight and coasted.

Parrott travels to Harrells Christian Thursday and will host John Paul II Monday.