HPCA volleyball wins big over rival Wesleyan
• Michael Lindsay | Enterprise Sports Writer
• Save
HIGH POINT — Strong all-around play helped lift High Point Christian to a big rivalry win.
The Cougars started strong to grab the early lead, fended off Wesleyan Christian midway through the match and rolled to a 25-14, 25-23, 25-14 victory in nonconference volleyball Tuesday at HPCA.
“I was so proud of these girls and really the team ball that we’re playing,” HPCA coach Bridget Knower said. “We started out with great energy. And we just need to work on keeping that momentum and that energy, even when we’re taking a little dip. But overall I’m super happy.”
Kennedy Powell had 11 kills and six aces to lead the Cougars (6-3), perennial state contenders who reached the NCISAA 3A semifinals last season. Emeline Martin and Cameron Martin each followed with six kills.
Carly Jarrell added 25 assists while Jordan Karpovich had 12 digs as HPCA made runs in the first and third sets to lead by double digits but had to weather the Trojans during a tight, back-and-forth second set.
“I think we played really well,” said Powell, a senior outside hitter. “Our energy was really high. We hit some good balls, and we had pretty good serve-receive — our libero played really well along the back row.”
The Cougars, using a combination of deft serves and hard hits at the net, scored 11 of the first 12 points of the match to quickly lead by 10. Wesleyan got back within five midway through before HPCA rebuilt their double-digit lead.
“It really builds our momentum and our energy’s high from the start,” Powell said. “From that and our fans and the student section, it really gets our energy going. We’re having fun, basically.”
The Trojans led by as many as four early in the second set before the teams traded leads into the final points. With the teams tied at 22, the Cougars — thanks to a couple key points by Cameron Martin — won three of the final four points.
That gave them a 2-0 lead. HPCA then led almost the entirety of the third set — using an 11-2 run, highlighted by a trio of points by Hembree, to lead 20-8. The Cougars maintained a sizable lead the rest of the way to close out the sweep.
“These girls are just fighters,” Knower said. “We’ve been talking about how sometimes you just have to grind. We have been able to grind and grind and see a positive result. So, that’s good for the girls to see. We know it doesn’t always go our way, but just for them to never give up and keep grinding is really key.”
On the other side, Wesleyan continued to take steps in the right direction, despite a very challenging schedule to open the season that included indomitable North Raleigh Christian last week.
“It was good — it was like a little wave,” Trojans coach Kelly Castevens said. “We got the jitters out the first half of the first set. After that, once they were capable of passing, we were able to execute and that gave them confidence.
“Overall, I felt like it was a big improvement from the other games. And I feel like we’re going to keep improving. … I think it’s reminding them, ‘Just take care of your job. Focus on what you need to do and it’ll all come together.’ ”
Ava Brown had 12 kills, 10 digs and one ace to lead the Trojans (0-3), who are on the younger side this season. Cate Barnwell had 30 assists and one ace, while Caroline Lennon chipped in four blocks, three kills and two aces.
mlindsay@hpenews.com | 336-888-3526 | @HPEmichael
• Michael Lindsay | Enterprise Sports Writer
• Save
HIGH POINT — Strong all-around play helped lift High Point Christian to a big rivalry win.
The Cougars started strong to grab the early lead, fended off Wesleyan Christian midway through the match and rolled to a 25-14, 25-23, 25-14 victory in nonconference volleyball Tuesday at HPCA.
“I was so proud of these girls and really the team ball that we’re playing,” HPCA coach Bridget Knower said. “We started out with great energy. And we just need to work on keeping that momentum and that energy, even when we’re taking a little dip. But overall I’m super happy.”
Kennedy Powell had 11 kills and six aces to lead the Cougars (6-3), perennial state contenders who reached the NCISAA 3A semifinals last season. Emeline Martin and Cameron Martin each followed with six kills.
Carly Jarrell added 25 assists while Jordan Karpovich had 12 digs as HPCA made runs in the first and third sets to lead by double digits but had to weather the Trojans during a tight, back-and-forth second set.
“I think we played really well,” said Powell, a senior outside hitter. “Our energy was really high. We hit some good balls, and we had pretty good serve-receive — our libero played really well along the back row.”
The Cougars, using a combination of deft serves and hard hits at the net, scored 11 of the first 12 points of the match to quickly lead by 10. Wesleyan got back within five midway through before HPCA rebuilt their double-digit lead.
“It really builds our momentum and our energy’s high from the start,” Powell said. “From that and our fans and the student section, it really gets our energy going. We’re having fun, basically.”
The Trojans led by as many as four early in the second set before the teams traded leads into the final points. With the teams tied at 22, the Cougars — thanks to a couple key points by Cameron Martin — won three of the final four points.
That gave them a 2-0 lead. HPCA then led almost the entirety of the third set — using an 11-2 run, highlighted by a trio of points by Hembree, to lead 20-8. The Cougars maintained a sizable lead the rest of the way to close out the sweep.
“These girls are just fighters,” Knower said. “We’ve been talking about how sometimes you just have to grind. We have been able to grind and grind and see a positive result. So, that’s good for the girls to see. We know it doesn’t always go our way, but just for them to never give up and keep grinding is really key.”
On the other side, Wesleyan continued to take steps in the right direction, despite a very challenging schedule to open the season that included indomitable North Raleigh Christian last week.
“It was good — it was like a little wave,” Trojans coach Kelly Castevens said. “We got the jitters out the first half of the first set. After that, once they were capable of passing, we were able to execute and that gave them confidence.
“Overall, I felt like it was a big improvement from the other games. And I feel like we’re going to keep improving. … I think it’s reminding them, ‘Just take care of your job. Focus on what you need to do and it’ll all come together.’ ”
Ava Brown had 12 kills, 10 digs and one ace to lead the Trojans (0-3), who are on the younger side this season. Cate Barnwell had 30 assists and one ace, while Caroline Lennon chipped in four blocks, three kills and two aces.
mlindsay@hpenews.com | 336-888-3526 | @HPEmichael
