Menu
NEVC out-punches Lady Cavs
WALKER — Three is better than five.
That was the takeaway Thursday night after the Northeast Vernon County High School volleyball team defeated Thomas Jefferson Independent in straight sets (25-21, 25-11, 25-19) — the Lady Knights’ first match this season that did not go the distance to five.
It was also their third win, and by far the least stressful one so far for NEVC head coach Emma Schellpeper.
“I think we kept our momentum up the entire time,” said Schellpeper, whose squad endured a few nervous moments toward the ends of the first and third sets but held on to improve to 3-1 on the season. “The girls really focused, trying to make sure with every ball, they’re doing the best that they can for the setter and for the hitter, just staying on our toes and being ready for everything. And getting our serves in. That helps shift momentum.”
Junior Moriah Ashby led the charge from behind the service line, especially at the beginning of the second set, which she started by winning 10 straight points — including six aces.
“Moriah did awesome there at the beginning,” said Schellpeper, who indicated with hand signals where she wanted the serves hit to, either in the seams between two opponents or directly to the weakest receiver. “It totally changes the game and helps us feel a little bit more prepared and them being a little more scared.”
NEVC downright terrified the Lady Cavaliers (3-5-1) with 17 aces on the night, seven of which came off the serves of Ashby.
The Lady Knights were also a force at the net, highlighted by blocks and spikes from some of the usual suspects — like junior outside hitter Charity Middleton (nine kills) and freshman middle hitter Liya Bailey-Thompson (five kills) — as well as from unsuspecting killer Avery Minor, a junior middle hitter who provided a spark against Thomas Jefferson’s towering front row.
“Avery owned that net. Her name’s written on that net. She definitely went up and took control of it,” said Schellpeper of Minor, who logged two kill blocks in each of the final two sets. “She’s had hints here or there, but this is definitely the big show for her coming out. They had big middles here. We could finally show off Avery’s talent. She’s a big middle. Not as big as they were, but she could get up and take control of that net, for sure.”
NEVC will look to ride its momentum into next week, when the Lady Knights will hit the road for tough tests at Wheaton (3-1) and Rich Hill (3-0), before returning home to its raucous crowd for a match against Everton (2-5-2).
“It is very exciting,” Schellpeper said of her team’s hot start. “I think the girls love it, as well. It’s fun for them to be able to win for their school and the community. That helps motivate them to do better, for their families and their friends. It’s fun to see.”