North Lenoir rolls past Rosewood in straight sets
North Lenoir’s Jackie Avila (10) prepares to set up Reena Parris during Wednesday’s game against Rosewood. Photo by William ‘Bud’ Hardy / Neuse News
By Junious Smith III
LA GRANGE — Fatigue was not a factor for North Lenoir Wednesday.
The Hawks overwhelmed Rosewood early and maintained control in a 25-8, 25-20, 25-17 victory. One day after defeating Eastern Carolina Conference foe Washington in straight sets, North Lenoir (6-2) returned to nonconference play for its third straight win.
“Communication was a big key in the game and just getting excited,” Parris said. “We were ready (against Rosewood) — we played Washington good (Tuesday).
North Lenoir started the match on an 8-0 run, highlighted by a pair of Kennedy Sullivan service aces and a Kanijah Taylor kill. Rosewood (5-5) scored the next three points, but Paytyn Jones subsequent kill sparked an 11-1 run, punctuated by a kill from Parris. The Eagles wouldn’t get within double digits for the remainder of the set.
“I felt like we were ready in that first game — we were moving the ball, talking, hitting, passing, everything,” Hawks coach Heather Carson said. “We were able to keep the intensity and I’m proud of their efforts.”
A block by Miyah McCall helped Rosewood get off to a 3-0 start, but North Lenoir fought back with a 9-1 run highlighted by two Parris kills, a Taylor spike and Clara Boyette’s service ace. The Eagles wouldn’t take another lead in the set, but got within 20-19 before the Hawks wrapped it up.
The third set was closely contested with seven ties and five lead changes. Consecutive service aces from Parris seemed to give North Lenoir breathing room at 12-9, but Rosewood tied it at 13. Aces from Jones and Integrity McPhail sparked a 6-1 run for the Hawks, who never looked back.
North Lenoir faces Southwest Edgecombe on the road Thursday. The Hawks then play Rosewood on the road Sept. 16 before getting back into ECC play with West Craven the following day.
Sullivan said the team has to keep the pace going to sustain the success.
“(We have to) stay strong mentally — if we mess up, just keep going and have a short memory,” Sullivan said.
Parris ended the game with 10 kills, Jones added eight and Jackie Avila contributed 19 assists.
