Southern Wayne picks up first win in straight sets
2 min read
By Laieke Abebe
WJGSPORTS Contributor
KINSTON — Southern Wayne controlled the pace of their match against Kinston and it led to the result they wanted.
The Saints (1-3) defeated the Vikings (0-3), 25-17, 26-24, 25-17 for their first win of the season. Scarlett Joyner’s team limited their unforced errors and served really well throughout the match.
“I’m proud of them,” she said about her team. “We definitely stepped up and we controlled the ball very well. Today was a good day for my team to learn how to set the pace of the match. I tell them to always play hard no matter who the competition is. A win like this can help us get momentum so that we can be competitive in conference play.”
The Saints put the Vikings in an early hole to start the first set thanks to a few unforced errors. On the back of some excellent serving, Southern Wayne took the opening set and was off to a flying start.
However, Kinston responded very well in the second set. The Vikings took a 20-19 lead after a service ace by senior Zykia Andrews. After the Saints quickly tied the set, Kinston scored four of the next five points and they had three set points to tie the match at one.
Southern Wayne’s answer was the turning point of the match. Despite being down 24-21, the Saints scored five straight points to take the second set. Kinston got off to a great start in the final set leading 10-2, but the Saints quickly responded with a huge scoring run.
They would score 16 of the next 18 points to take the lead. The Vikings fought back to make it 18-15, but that’s as close as they got.
Southern Wayne will head on the road to face North Lenoir on Wednesday.
