Maddie Stephens makes a dig for the Triton varsity volleyball team.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
After a strong performance in the first set, third-seeded Triton narrowly won the second and struggled in the third, before coming back strong in the fourth to take a 3-1 win over visiting No. 6 Lee County in the first round of the Tri-County Six 3-A Conference volleyball tournament on Monday. The individual set scores were 25-15, 25-22, 21-25 and 25-13.
“I don’t know what got into them that last set, but I was glad to see it,” said Triton coach Wendy Simmons. “I think Bethany (Norris) had a good run on her serves. But we were playing well at the net, too.”
Senior Evie Pollard led the Hawks (11-12) both offensively and defensively, recording a double-double with 17 kills, one block and 25 digs.
Fellow senior Breigh Hobbs also recorded a double-double, with 11 kills and 12 digs.
Senior Maddie Stephens had a career night on defense and was a leading server for Triton with 21 digs and two aces on 12 service points.
“I think Maddie’s been playing well the last week,” Simmons said.
Junior Bethany Norris had a strong all-around performance with nine kills, three blocks, 11 digs and two aces on 19 service points.
“Anything that’s around her, she’s going to get to it and get a good pass on it because she’s got a good platform,” Simmons said.
Breonna McNeill had five kills, one block and 12 digs and held serve for five points. Grace Wilson had two kills and one dig. Tyler Grace Gamblin had one kill, 34 assists, six digs and two aces on five service points. Reagan Bradham had five assists and two digs and held serve for one point. Hobbs had one assist and one ace on two service points. Stephens had one assist. Gracyn Slaughter had 10 digs and held serve for three points. Pollard had one ace on three service points.
Senior Megan Collins had six kills, freshman Kaitlyn Spivey had five kills and two blocks and junior Jordan Hulsey had 21 assists to lead the Yellow Jackets (3-17).
After dominating the first set, Triton barely edged Lee in the second. With Lee leading 22-21, a Norris kill, assisted by Gamblin, sparked a 4-0 run to end the set.
Triton tried to rally late in the third set, but Lee held on to keep its season alive.
Triton came out hot in the fourth set, with a Norris ace starting an 8-0 run to start the set. Triton never led by less than seven the rest of the way.
Triton will be at Union Pines for the second round of the tournament on Wednesday, facing second-seeded Southern Lee (11-8). The winner advances to Wednesday’s championship to meet the winner of Wednesday’s first match that sends No. 4 Harnett Central (8-13) against No. 1 Union Pines (21-2). All matches Wednesday will be played at Union Pines.
The semifinals originally were scheduled for Tuesday but were postponed due to the possibility of inclement weather.
“Quit committing errors,” Simmons said. “We can’t give teams points that they’re not earning. And get our serves in.”
Reagan Bradham sets in a 3-1 win for the Hawks.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Bethany Norris (14) makes a play at the net for the Hawks.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Breigh Hobbs goes up for a kill in Triton’s first-round win.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
Evie Pollard starts her swing on a kill for Triton.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)
