Raiders take 3-0 volleyball victory at Triton

by John Lucas | Aug 28, 2019 | Midway

Jordan Wallum makes a dig for Midway on Tuesday.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/John Lucas)

Midway took a straight sets varsity volleyball win at rival Triton on Tuesday by scores of 25-23, 27-25 and 25-21.

“We had a lot more hustle in us tonight,” said Midway coach Brandy Wrench. “We didn’t stop. We kept playing. Jordan Wallum ended this game with a nice dig up and then Caitlyn (Holland) nailed it down. Whenever you play like that and you utilize the game in your own, that just changes the whole game. The whole momentum changed from when we were playing at South (Johnston, a 3-1 road loss on Aug. 20) to today. That was our point. We were going to change that.”

Triton coach Wendy Simmons was not pleased with the team’s performance, as the Hawks have dropped three of their last four matches.

“Disappointed in the way we’re playing right now,” Simmons said. “I think we’re capable of playing a whole lot better.”

Defense was a major factor for the Raiders (2-1), led by Jordan Wallum and Maranda Byrd, with 15 digs apiece, and Caitlyn Holland, with 11 digs.

“That’s one thing we have definitely improved on: that back line,” Wrench said. “Our passing, our digging, our serve receive. We’ve still got some things to clean up, of course. They played much smoother, that back line.”

Makayla Chavis had seven kills, six digs and one ace on four service points. Holland had five kills and eight assists and held serve for seven points. Allison Belflowers had three kills and three blocks. Wallum had three kills, one assist and one ace on eight service points. Byrd had two kills, two assists and one ace on five service points. Makenzi Hudson had one kill, two blocks and two digs. Chloe Baggett had one kill and three digs. Sydney Williams had 11 assists, seven digs and one ace on eight service points. Taylor Williams had one dig and one ace. Emma Clark held serve for four points.

Breonna McNeill and Bethany Norris had six kills apiece, Leah Brannon had 17 digs and Gracyn Slaughter and Breigh Hobbs had 14 digs apiece to lead the Hawks (2-3).

Evie Pollard had four kills, one block, four digs and one ace. Tyler Grace Gamblin had two kills, 11 assists, two blocks, five digs and two aces on four service points. Hobbs had one kill, seven assists and one ace on four service points. McNeill had one block, three digs and one ace on seven service points. Chelby Pascale had eight digs and held serve for three points. Norris had one dig and held serve for two points. Brannon had five aces. Slaughter had one ace on six service points.

With the score tied 16-16 in the first set, Midway got to set point with an 8-2 run. Triton fought off five set points with a Pollard kill, assisted by Gamblin, and four straight Brannon aces. But the Raiders took the set on a service error.

At the end of a close second set, Midway held set point at 24-21 before Triton rallied to tie it. But with the score tied 25-25, an error and a Wallum kill, assisted by Holland, gave Midway the 2-0 match lead.

The third set was also tied late, at 21-21, before Midway ended the match on a 4-0 run, capped by a Holland kill, assisted by Williams.

Triton won the junior varsity match 2-0 by scores of 25-21 and 25-23.

Midway is at home for the first time this season on Tuesday, hosting unbeaten South Johnston (5-0).

“We’ve got to start on top and stay on top,” Wrench said. “Stay with that energy the whole way. The past two games, we’ve played as a team. A lot of energy. A lot of excitement.”

Triton is at home against Fuquay-Varina on Thursday.