By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
CHOCOWINITY — Two of the Atlantic Conference’s top teams clashed on Tuesday as Southside hosted Williamston on the Seahawks’ senior night. Though Southside may have been pumped to celebrate seniors, it still could not stop a devastating Tigers’ attack as Williamston won 25-16, 25-13, 25-22.
Thanks to a Tyler Hill kill, the Seahawks jumped out to an 11-8 lead midway through the first game, but failed to hold on to it.
Williamston’s Jamie Radford served her team back into the mix as she led the Tigers on a six point run on the strength of three aces, and when Radford was done dealing, Williamston held a 14-11 advantage.
A Caitilyn Bogart ace brought Southside back within a point of the Tigers, but that would be as close as the Seahawks would get.
With the score 14-13, Williamston (16-2, 12-1) ripped off 11-3 run to close out game one 25-16. Heather Jackson did most of the damage late in the game as she began serving with a 16-13 lead, and with the help of her teammates, extended the advantage to 21-13.
Williamston coach Herbie Rogers credited the Tigers’ focus for their win.
Williamston continued to play some good volleyball in the second game as well. Net players Presley Roberson and Jackson spearheaded a Tigers’ attack that was nearly flawless en rout to a 25-13 win.
Roberson made crucial kills not only in game two, but for the entirety of the match. Jackson executed solid sets, while showing tremendous range and ability to get to the ball and erase Tigers’ mistakes.
Southside played well up front as well. Chandler, Hill, Daneilya Whitney and Mandi Harding gave the Tigers’ front line a good run for their money. Harding and Hill made their presence felt on the defensive end, while Chandler and Whitney provided some punch on offense.
While the Seahawks put up a good overall effort, Southside coach Elizabeth Pruden said the difference maker in Tuesday’s game was her team’s serving.
Refusing to go out without a fight, the Seahawks stepped up in the third game and took an 11-6 lead on a Penn ace. Williamston answered back with some good serving of its own as Morgan Miller helped cut the Seahawks lead to 11-10 with four straight service points.
The two teams battled back and forth, but when Roberson kill was followed by a Radford ace, the Tigers were able to knot the score at 15.
Jackson was able to give Williamston some breathing room when her third ace of the game gave her team a 20-16 lead.
Whitney and the rest of the Seahawks front line did its best to keep up with Williamston, as a Whitney kill cut the Tigers’ lead to 21-20.
Southside would tie the score at 22, but it would be its last point as the Seahawks lost game three 25-22.