Greene Central gets past North Pitt

Greene Central’s team celebrates a point during Thursday’s contest with North Pitt. Photo by Laieke Abebe / Neuse News

BETHEL — Greene Central’s volleyball team is off to a nice start to the 2019 season.

The Rams went on the road and defeated North Pitt 25-9, 21-25, 25-23, 25-14 on Thursday, as first-year head coach Emily Nelson has her team over .500 for the first time since Aug. 17, 2017.

“I need them to know that they have so much potential,” Nelson said. “All of my players are starting to realize that and it’ll help us get where we want to go. We beat a really good team today and it was a total team effort.”

Unforced errors played a big role on both sides. In the end, the Rams dominated the first set from then opening serve as the Panthers struggled to get out of the gates. In the second set however, North Pitt (1-2) was able to force Greene Central into some struggles. The Rams couldn’t get out of their own way and they fell short of making a comeback.

The third set was pivotal and the Panthers controlled the set for most of the way, going up 19-11 before the Rams’ resolve and intensity kicked in. Greene Central  would tie the set at 23 before Madalyn Radford’s kill down the middle of the court from the back row propelled the Rams to a set point and eventual set victory.

Greene Central controlled the fourth set and never looked back on the way to victory.

“I wasn’t too comfortable hitting from the back row,” Radford said about the momentum-changing play. “I just went for it and it gave me confidence in knowing that I’m capable of doing that. Team chemistry is important for us and I think we can keep up the good work.”

The Rams will face Farmville Central at home on Tuesday, August 27th.