HAMLET — An early-season rivalry matchup between the Rockingham and Hamlet middle school volleyball teams saw the Lady Red Rams walk away with a sweep Monday afternoon.
The two Richmond County rivals met with matching undefeated records in Southeastern Middle School Athletic Conference play, but Hamlet edged the Lady Rockets in two closely contested matches. Hamlet won the first match by set scores of 25-14 and 26-24, and followed in the second game with the same scores of 25-14 and 26-24.
“The games were very intense,” Lady Red Ram head coach Alex Gardner said. “There were multiple times when Rockingham was up — they had some amazing servers. At one point, Rockingham had us by at least 15 points, but my girls never gave up and fought until the very end.
“Our girls had great serve returns and our attacks were on point,” she added. “We continued to be aggressive and didn’t get down on ourselves. I am so proud of our fight.”
After recording over 40 aces in each of their first two matches, Hamlet (6-0, 6-0 SEMSAC) had just 24 perfect serves Monday, but they were enough to defeat Rockingham. Katie Way had a team-high seven aces, followed by six aces from Ryelan Lyerly. Emma Altman and Jenna Gardner each had four aces, and Christ Jacobs (two) and Orena Drake (one) rounded out the attack.
Way was also big at the net for Hamlet, racking up 11 kills on 18 attacks. Drake picked up two kills and a dig, while Gardner and Jacobs each finished with one spike.
On Rockingham’s side of the net, the Lady Rockets (4-2, 4-2 SEMSAC) were led by Keyoni Nichols, who tallied a team-high 26 points. Teammates Makailah Jackson, Jamyia Lindsey and Allie Rodgers each finished with 11 points apiece.
Other scorers for Rockingham were JNasia Neal (eight points), Zoey Herberg (five points), Carolina Gonzalez (three points) and Ella Scott (one point).
Hamlet will look to stay unbeaten when it travels to Carver Middle School on Wednesday, while Rockingham hopes to rebound at home against Anson Middle School Blue. Both matches will begin at 4 p.m.
Ellerbe Middle contests Anson Blue but comes up short
WADESBORO — Also in action Monday was the Ellerbe Middle School volleyball team on the road at Anson Middle School looking for its first win of the season. However, Anson Blue would earn two wins and sweep the Lady Wildcats in straight sets.
Set scores were 14-25 and 9-25 in the first match, and 16-25 and 18-25 in the second game. Jasmine Martinez had a team-high 17 aces and six kills on the afternoon for Ellerbe. Ivey Craven added four kills and a dig.
“Melissa Morales and Makayla English played a strong front line, gathering six kills and four digs that were difficult plays to make,” head coach Kristin Svitak said. “I am extremely proud of how well the girls played together and they communicated the strongest they have all season.
“I am excited to see what Wednesday will bring at Spring Hill,” she closed. Ellerbe (0-8, 0-6 SEMSAC) will travel to play the Lady Spartans at 4 p.m.
