By By KEVIN TRAVIS
Sports Editor
WILLIAMSTON — Katie Paschal started it with a spike, and Erin Bowen finished it off with a service ace.
It was that kind of day for the Williamston Tigers (18-3), who posted a three-game sweep of the Pamlico Hurricanes (8-13) in Saturday’s first round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-A state volleyball playoffs. Williamston, the second seed from the Four Rivers Conference, posted a 25-16, 25-8, 25-19 win.
“It started with serving,” Williamston coach Herbie Rogers said. “We did a really good job of serving with hitting spots on the court. When we do that, it keeps the other team from running their offense.”
Senior Erin Bowen came up big for the Tigers, especially in a dominating second game, as she finished with 12 kills.
“The key was having our head on straight,” Bowen said. “We just had to stay focused and take care of business.”
The Tigers will play at Jamesville (18-1), a three-game winner over Northampton-West, in Tuesday’s second round. The Bullets, who have won 14 straight, are the Tideland Conference champions.
“I’ve watched Jamesville play and I know they are a very good volleyball team,” Rogers said. “They’ve always had a great tradition down there. We’re looking forward to going down there and playing them.”
The winner of that match will face the survivor between Gates County (20-4), the Tar-Roanoke Conference champions, and SW Onslow (9-8), the No. 2 seed from the Coastal Plains Conference, in the third round. Gates advanced with a 3-2 win over Columbia, while SW Onslow held off Manteo in five games.
The Tigers raced out to an 8-0 lead in the first game, as Heather Jackson, who played her usual brilliant all-around game, served up seven straight points. Paschal had two kills and Jesse Ann Rogers one during the early run.
Pamlico pulled within 8-7, but strong serving by Paschal and Rachel Baker helped Williamston gain a 16-9 lead. The Tigers were able to answer each Hurricane run all game.
“It’s really important (to answer),” coach Rogers said. “In volleyball, especially when you’re playing good teams, it’s all about making little runs. If you give up a couple points, but then get a side-out, that’s big.”
Harris Shepherd gave the Tigers a 24-13 lead with four straight points, helping Williamston take the first game.
Two spikes and two tips by Bowen helped the Tigers jump out to a 6-2 lead in the second game. Baker rattled off nine straight points, while Bowen, Jesse Ann Rogers and Jackson all came up with big plays at the net, for a 15-2 Williamston lead. Paschal’s big spike capped the game as the Hurricanes never threatened.
With Paschal, Bowen and Jesse Ann Rogers all unleashing kills, the Tigers grabbed a quick 9-3 lead in the third game. Pamlico hung tough, pulling within 11-10 and 21-19. However, Bowen served up the final three points, the final one being an ace, to end the match.
Seahawks swept
The Southside Seahawks saw their season come to an end, falling 3-0 to Princeton on Saturday.
The Seahawks, a wild-card entry out of the Four Rivers Conference, finished the season with a 13-10 record. Princeton (17-5), the No. 1 seed from the Carolina Conference, advanced to face Lakewood (19-3).
Wildcats fall in five
The Columbia Wildcats pushed Gates County to the limit, before falling in five games to Gates County.
Columbia (6-17), the fourth seed from the Tideland Conference, ended the season with a 6-17 mark. The Red Barons (20-4), the Tar-Roanoke Conference champions, advanced to the second round to face SW Onslow (9-8), the No. 2 seed from the Coastal Plains Conference. SW Onslow advanced with a 3-2 win over Manteo.
Panthers go four
The Northside Panthers (9-11), the fifth seed from the Four Rivers Conference, fell to Dixon (12-4), the Coastal Plains champions, in four games.
Dixon takes on SE Halifax (16-2), the No. 2 seed from the Tar Roanoke Conference, in the second round. The Trojans advanced with a 3-2 win over Bear Grass.