By By KEVIN TRAVIS
Sports Editor
Katie Paschal had her fair share of thunderous kills, but Williamston also received key contributions from several other players. That helped the Tigers take a 3-0 win over Washington in Tuesday’s nonconference volleyball match, and remain perfect (3-0) on the year.
The Tigers cruised to a 25-11, 25-9, 25-12 victory.
“I thought the key was our serving,” Williamston coach Herbie Rogers said. “That’s probably the best we’ve served all year. Being able to move the ball from short to long really helped us out.”
Senior setter Heather Jackson, senior Erin Bowen and senior Harris Shepherd all had sensational nights with their serving. The trio did a nice job of mixing up their serves, which seemed to leave the Pam Pack (0-4) scrambling.
Along with ferocious spikes from Paschal, the 2008 WDN Volleyball Player of the Year, the Tigers also got key contributions from freshman Rachel Baker and junior Meredith Roberson. Baker stepped in for the injured Shae Hansen, the team’s middle hitter.
“I thought everybody played well,” Rogers said. “(Baker) stepped in and did a nice job.”
While Blaklee Wolfe and Erika Sullivan had a few nice kills for the Pack, it wasn’t nearly enough.
“We have a lot to work on,” a frustrated Pack coach Tara Hunter said.
Sarah Nicholls got Washington on the scoreboard first with a nifty return in the first game. A block by Baker and four consecutive serving points by Paschal had the Tigers off and running.
Jackson rattled off six straight points, two of them aces, to open a 17-7 lead. Bowen chalked up five consecutive points a short time later to help Williamston take the opening game.
The Pack took a 1-0 advantage in the second game as well, but that lead was short-lived. Jackson’s serving helped give the Tigers a 4-1 lead, while Bowen’s five consecutive points made it 12-5. The Tigers cruised from there.
Shepherd had the hot hand at the serve line early in the third game, which helped give Williamston a 9-3 lead. Jesse Ann Rogers used more hot serving, while Paschal had a couple more smacks, for an 18-8 lead. Shepherd’s ace fittingly ended the match.
Rogers is glad that his team has more weapons than just Paschal.
“We talk all the time about making the defense defend the whole net,” Rogers said. “Getting offense from somebody other than Katie is going to be important to us.”
Williamston returns to action Thursday at North Pitt.
Washington will open Coastal Conference play Tuesday at West Craven. The Pack was supposed to play host to Jacksonville on Thursday, but that match had to be rescheduled.