Triton’s varsity volleyball team battled through every set at nonconference rival South Johnston on Monday, but the Trojans came away with a 3-1 win by scores of 25-23, 25-23, 23-25 and 25-19.

“That was very competitive score-wise,” said South Johnston coach Matthew Adams. “Especially the first three sets were all 25-23. Thankfully, two of them went our way. It’s always nice to be up 2-0. It gives you a little bit of a cushion.

“Their girls played hard. Their serve put a little bit of pressure on us sometimes. And when they pass, they’ve got a few hitters that can put the ball down. It was a good, competitive nonconference match.

“We don’t usually play much nonconference this late in the season, but it gives us a chance to see someone else, someone we could potentially see in the playoffs and always a good program. You know it’s always going to be a battle whenever you play them.”

Triton coach Sarah Haney said the Hawks made the Trojans earn the win with their play.

“If they’re going to be that close, I tell them, ‘Make them earn it,’” Haney said. “They earn the point, they get the kill, they earn it. But if it’s off of our mistakes, we don’t need that.

Senior Jordyn Brown had 10 kills, one block and four digs and held serve for four points and sophomore Lannah Price had nine kills, seven digs and five aces on 12 service points to lead the Trojans (9-6).

“Both from the service line and hitting (Price) does a lot of good things for us,” coach Adams said.

Dianna Boykin had six kills, one block and two digs. Brooke Winborne had four kills and five digs. Caroline Tucker had three kills, one block and one dig. Kenzie Adams had one kill, one assist, eight digs and three aces on eight service points. Laina Moore had one kill. Madison Carter had 13 assists, two digs and one ace on five service points. Meagan Worley had nine assists and two digs and held serve for three points. Allie Stewart had four assists, one dig and one ace. Faith Collins had one assist and five digs and held serve for six points. Logan Collins held serve for three points.

Junior Olivia Godwin had nine kills, one assist, 12 digs and one ace on eight service points, junior Carleigh Hemby had eight kills, two blocks, four digs and two aces on 12 service points and freshman Sydney Bradham had three kills, 20 assists, eight digs and one ace on three service points to lead the Hawks.

“The past couple of games Olivia’s been really stepping it up with her serves and her hits,” Haney said. “Her and Carleigh together, if they’re both on, it’s a pretty strong outside.”

Chyna Massey had five kills, one assist, three blocks and four digs. Baylee Reagan had three kills, one assist, three digs and one ace on five service points. Virginia Pope had one kill, one block and four digs. Ava Blackman had two assists and eight digs. Mary Charlotte Pope had one assist and six digs. Emma Stanley had four digs and one ace on eight service points. Aubrie Wise had five digs.

South Johnston held a 24-17 lead late in the first set when Triton fought off six set points to cut the lead to one before an error ended the set.

Triton led 20-16 late in the second set when South rallied with a 9-3 run to take the set.

South had a late 22-20 lead in the third set when Triton rallied with a 5-1 run to take the set and keep the match alive.

The fourth set was tied 15-15 when South ended the match on a 10-4 run.

Triton travels to All American 3-A/4-A Conference opponent Terry Sanford (7-7, 5-3 AAC) on Tuesday. The Hawks won in straight sets at home against the Bulldogs on Sept. 1.

“I told the girls, ‘For a Monday, it wasn’t bad,’” Haney said. “Usually Mondays are pretty rough. But they came in and played hard and they fought and they had fun. But ending that one and heading into Terry Sanford, I think it’s going to be a strong feed into that one.”

South Johnston is at home against Quad County 3-A Conference foe Fike (8-6, 3-5 QCC) on Tuesday. The Trojans won in straight sets at Fike on Sept. 1.

“Any time you get a win against a good program, whether it’s conference or non-conference, it’s good,” coach Adams said. “A lot of girls on our team saw some action tonight. That was good. And we bounce back into conference tomorrow. Not much time to work on things, but you can build on success from the previous day’s win.”