Arendell Parrott advances to state championship
By Junious Smith KINSTON FREE PRESS
Scarlet Combs had 12 kills while Hannah Scott Avery had 10 kills to lead the Patriots
The greatest volleyball season in Arendell Parrott history wouldn’t be complete without a chance to win it all.
The Patriots defeated Cary Christian 25-20, 25-16, 25-20 on Tuesday in the NCISAA 2A semifinals.
Arendell Parrott (26-0) had some trouble early with the Knights, but were able to recover and set up a matchup against another undefeated team — Asheville Christian — in the championship round.
The teams will clash Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at Wesleyan Christian Academy in High Point.
“We were able to overcome an early deficit and push through,” the Patriots’ Scarlet Combs said after Arendell Parrott locked up its first championship appearance in volleyball. “We’ll at least be runner-ups for the state title, but our goal is to become champions.”
The Patriots faced Cary Christian (20-3) on Sept. 7, winning 25-13, 25-20, 25-13, but the Knights took control early this time. Arendell Parrott fell behind 5-1 and trailed 14-11 before coach David Barnes called a timeout.
“At the time, their biggest hitter and blocker was in the back row and I looked at it as a way to gather momentum,” Barnes said. “Volleyball is all about momentum and after we started off rough, things started to get better for us.”
The Patriots scored the next four points — punctuated with a Gabby Carriere service ace — to take their first lead at 15-14. Cary Christian took the advantage back, but Arendell Parrott used a 5-1 run to establish control, eventually winning the set on a Jorja Tuten ace.
The Knights scored the first point of the second set, but never led again. Alli Grant Avery’s kill highlighted a 5-0 run for the Patriots, who never looked back, extending their advantage to as high as 10, before ending the set on another Avery kill.
Arendell Parrott started the third set on a 5-0 run and kept Cary Christian at bay, taking an 18-11 lead on a Hannah Scott Avery kill. The Knights made one hard run, eventually getting within 22-20, but the Patriots scored the final three points, including a Combs kill to end the game.
“We played a great team in Cary Christian,” Barnes said. “They lost just three games the whole season and two of those were to us. We got stopped here last season (in the state semifinals), but we’ve been able to come back with an even better season. We were 24-2 last year, but now we’re 26-0, conference champions, conference tournament champions and have a chance to be state champions.”
Combs had 12 kills to lead the team, Hannah Scott Avery added 10 kills, Alli Grant Avery provided nine kills and three blocks and Mackenzie Pope added 33 assists.
By Junious Smith KINSTON FREE PRESS
Scarlet Combs had 12 kills while Hannah Scott Avery had 10 kills to lead the Patriots
The greatest volleyball season in Arendell Parrott history wouldn’t be complete without a chance to win it all.
The Patriots defeated Cary Christian 25-20, 25-16, 25-20 on Tuesday in the NCISAA 2A semifinals.
Arendell Parrott (26-0) had some trouble early with the Knights, but were able to recover and set up a matchup against another undefeated team — Asheville Christian — in the championship round.
The teams will clash Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at Wesleyan Christian Academy in High Point.
“We were able to overcome an early deficit and push through,” the Patriots’ Scarlet Combs said after Arendell Parrott locked up its first championship appearance in volleyball. “We’ll at least be runner-ups for the state title, but our goal is to become champions.”
The Patriots faced Cary Christian (20-3) on Sept. 7, winning 25-13, 25-20, 25-13, but the Knights took control early this time. Arendell Parrott fell behind 5-1 and trailed 14-11 before coach David Barnes called a timeout.
“At the time, their biggest hitter and blocker was in the back row and I looked at it as a way to gather momentum,” Barnes said. “Volleyball is all about momentum and after we started off rough, things started to get better for us.”
The Patriots scored the next four points — punctuated with a Gabby Carriere service ace — to take their first lead at 15-14. Cary Christian took the advantage back, but Arendell Parrott used a 5-1 run to establish control, eventually winning the set on a Jorja Tuten ace.
The Knights scored the first point of the second set, but never led again. Alli Grant Avery’s kill highlighted a 5-0 run for the Patriots, who never looked back, extending their advantage to as high as 10, before ending the set on another Avery kill.
Arendell Parrott started the third set on a 5-0 run and kept Cary Christian at bay, taking an 18-11 lead on a Hannah Scott Avery kill. The Knights made one hard run, eventually getting within 22-20, but the Patriots scored the final three points, including a Combs kill to end the game.
“We played a great team in Cary Christian,” Barnes said. “They lost just three games the whole season and two of those were to us. We got stopped here last season (in the state semifinals), but we’ve been able to come back with an even better season. We were 24-2 last year, but now we’re 26-0, conference champions, conference tournament champions and have a chance to be state champions.”
Combs had 12 kills to lead the team, Hannah Scott Avery added 10 kills, Alli Grant Avery provided nine kills and three blocks and Mackenzie Pope added 33 assists.
