Hawks down Colts, 3-1, in first volleyball match

by | Aug 20, 2019 | Triton

Evie Pollard (2) puts away a point for the Hawks.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

Triton’s varsity volleyball team opened its season Monday with a 3-1 win over visiting Cape Fear by set scores of 25-20, 16-25, 26-24 and 25-19.

“A year ago, we weren’t even where we are right now,” said Triton coach Wendy Simmons. “We’ve still got things to work on. There were some things I felt like we could have done better, because we were doing them better in practice, which I wanted to see us execute and we didn’t as much tonight. Overall, I was pleased with the win and hopefully we’ll come out tomorrow and correct some of those things that we didn’t do so well tonight.”

Evie Pollard had seven kills, Breigh Hobbs had six kills, 20 digs and two aces on nine service points, Bethany Norris had six kills, Tyler Grace Gamblin had 23 assists and 17 digs, Gracyn Slaughter had 24 digs and Leah Brannon had 21 digs and four aces on nine service points to lead the Hawks (1-0).

Brannon had two kills and one assist. Grace Wilson had two kills and one dig. Slaughter had one kill and two aces on six service points. Gamblin had one kill and two blocks and held serve for three points. Chelby Pascale had one kill, eight digs and one ace on seven service points. Pollard had one block, three digs and four aces on six service points. Sydney Morrison had seven digs and one ace on three service points. Hobbs had one assist. Norris held serve for three points.

Simmons noted the depth on the team’s roster this season.

“I have one injury and I have some that missed a week of practice because they were on a trip,” Simmons said. “I think you’ll see more and more of them go in to play different spots. They may just go in to serve. They may just go in to play outside one time. But all of them have the ability to contribute at some point in time. I have 12 on this team and nine on JV. I’ve got a bench; I’m going to use them when I need to.”

Jenna Hales had 12 kills, Megan Eaker and Hannah Spexarth had seven kills apiece, Gabby Swenson had five blocks and Tori McGowan had 29 assists to lead the Colts (0-1).

Cape Fear kept the first set close, but never held a lead in the set. With Triton leading 20-19, the Hawks ended the set on a 5-1 run, capped by a Gamblin block.

Triton struggled with errors early in the second set and Cape Fear took advantage, opening with a 7-1 run and never giving up the lead in the set.

The third set was close all the way to the end. With Cape Fear holding set point at 24-23, a Norris kill, assisted by Gamblin, sparked a 3-0 run for Triton to take the set and lead the match 2-1.

The fourth set was close until, with Triton holding a 13-11 lead, the Hawks pulled away with six unanswered points and maintained a lead of no less than five the rest of the way to close out the match.

Triton’s junior varsity team was also successful to start the year, winning a sweep over Cape Fear by scores of 25-20 and 25-23.

“They were fun to watch play today,” Simmons said. “I enjoyed watching them play. The future looks bright.”

Grace Wilson makes a kill in Triton’s season-opening win.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

Leah Brannon (5) has a dig for the Hawks on Monday evening.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

Tyler Grace Gamblin makes a block to end the first set.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

Breigh Hobbs serves an ace in Triton’s 3-1 win over the Cape Fear Colts.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

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