By By BRIAN HAINES
Sports Writer
WILLIAMSTON — In three matches the Tigers’ season came to a halt as they could not overcome the Southwest Onslow Stallions and the flu on the same day.
Williamston (19-4) had looked impressive all season long in its march toward the third round of the NCHSAA 1-A playoffs, but on Thursday the Tigers were overmatched as they fell 25-18, 25-15, 26-24 to Southwest Onslow (11-8, Coastal Plains).
Williamston went to battle with key players Heather Jackson, Harris Shepherd and Jessie Ann Rogers each bitten by the flu bug. The trio fought through their illness and played hard to the last point.
While they were able to temporarily win the war with flu, beating the Stallions at the net proved to be far more difficult.
Led by do-it-all star Kristin Segebarth, who was equally impressive setting the ball as she was spiking it, Southwest Onslow held a distinct advantage up front.
The Tigers top hitters Katie Paschal and Erin Bowen routinely boomed spikes over the net, but it seemed the Stallions were always able to get a piece of them.
“Southwest really played well,” Williamston coach Herbie Rogers said. “They don’t have many girls on their team, but the girls they do have can really play.”
Rogers acknowledged some of his players were sick, but refused to use that as excuse for the loss.
Williamston got off to a slow start and could never recover. After being tied at six, Southwest Onslow rattled off a 10-3 run that ended with it having a 16-9 advantage. The Tigers could never catch up as they fell 25-18.
The second game didn’t pan out much better for Williamston as it fell 25-15.
Aside from Segebarth, the Stallions Monisha Burney, Jessie Sbrocco, Brittany Battle and Janika Williams each played strong up front and made very little mistakes.
The Tigers struggled to stay consistent and only scored back-to-back points on two occasions.
Williamston made a run at the Stallions in the third game and at one point held a 14-10 lead, which was its largest of the day.
Southwest Onslow retaliated with an 8-0 run that put it back on top, 18-14.
Down 23-20, the Tigers clawed back to tie it at 24, but the Stallions took the final two points to seal the deal.
With the loss the Tigers have now fallen in the third round each of the last three years.
Rogers said after the game that his team put forth a solid effort all season.
“Heading into this season I don’t think any of us thought we would get this far,” Rogers said. “Our seniors played really well and we had a lot of other people step up, too.”