Parrott’s volleyball team strives for state title
Most Popular
Our Picks
By Junious Smith
Posted Aug 18, 2017 at 4:15 PM Updated Aug 18, 2017 at 4:15 PM
The regular season is not where Arendell Parrott measures itself in 2017.
The Patriots had a great 2016 campaign, going 24-2 with 22 victories coming in straight sets on the way to the NCISAA semifinals. Unfortunately, Arendell Parrott lost to Davidson Day 25-18, 25-23, 25-14 — something Patriots coach David Barnes said has triggered the passion to finish this season on top.
“It was a painful loss,” Barnes said. “We didn’t play as good as we could play that night. So this team is hungry. We may be just as good, if not better, than last year — the kids that are back want to make that run, and we have a legitimate shot to get back in the same position and go on to win the state championship.”
Arendell Parrott has flourished early, first winning the Neuse River Challenge last week by defeating West Craven, New Bern and Havelock. Then, after defeating Eastern Wayne in straight sets Tuesday, the Patriots rolled past Rocky Mount Academy Thursday 25-10, 25-8, 25-23. After starting the first two sets with 18-2 leads, Arendell Parrott played its reserves for a majority of the third. The Eagles went ahead 20-12, but the Patriots were able to rally with ease.
Barnes said the team works just as hard off the court to prepare for games.
“Our practices are tough,” Barnes said. “We’ve already had a five-team scrimmage, some area college girls practice with us and sometimes even us adults practice with them. We don’t come in here and hang out — we come here to work. It’s tough to keep them challenged because they play at a high level, so you have to have tough practices to keep them developing. I enjoy coaching them, they’re a good group of girls and we’re looking for a good season.”
Despite losing players like Savannah Hill to graduation and Grayson Norwood to a transfer to New Bern, Scarlet Combs said the team can still be strong.
“I think we’re pretty good,” Combs said. “We lost a few people from last year, but think we can overcome our losses and win a state championship.”
Combs had 12 kills in the win against Rocky Mount Academy with Hannah Scott Avery adding eight service aces and five kills, Alli Grant Avery contributing seven kills and Mackenzie Pope providing 25 assists.
Hannah Scott Avery said the team wants to bring a title to Kinston.
“We’re coming out really strong this year, our younger players have gotten better and we have a really strong six, so we’re going to go for the state championship as hard as we can. We’ve been putting so much work and effort into this, because we have the feeling of knowing we were almost there last year.”
Most Popular
Our Picks
By Junious Smith
Posted Aug 18, 2017 at 4:15 PM Updated Aug 18, 2017 at 4:15 PM
The regular season is not where Arendell Parrott measures itself in 2017.
The Patriots had a great 2016 campaign, going 24-2 with 22 victories coming in straight sets on the way to the NCISAA semifinals. Unfortunately, Arendell Parrott lost to Davidson Day 25-18, 25-23, 25-14 — something Patriots coach David Barnes said has triggered the passion to finish this season on top.
“It was a painful loss,” Barnes said. “We didn’t play as good as we could play that night. So this team is hungry. We may be just as good, if not better, than last year — the kids that are back want to make that run, and we have a legitimate shot to get back in the same position and go on to win the state championship.”
Arendell Parrott has flourished early, first winning the Neuse River Challenge last week by defeating West Craven, New Bern and Havelock. Then, after defeating Eastern Wayne in straight sets Tuesday, the Patriots rolled past Rocky Mount Academy Thursday 25-10, 25-8, 25-23. After starting the first two sets with 18-2 leads, Arendell Parrott played its reserves for a majority of the third. The Eagles went ahead 20-12, but the Patriots were able to rally with ease.
Barnes said the team works just as hard off the court to prepare for games.
“Our practices are tough,” Barnes said. “We’ve already had a five-team scrimmage, some area college girls practice with us and sometimes even us adults practice with them. We don’t come in here and hang out — we come here to work. It’s tough to keep them challenged because they play at a high level, so you have to have tough practices to keep them developing. I enjoy coaching them, they’re a good group of girls and we’re looking for a good season.”
Despite losing players like Savannah Hill to graduation and Grayson Norwood to a transfer to New Bern, Scarlet Combs said the team can still be strong.
“I think we’re pretty good,” Combs said. “We lost a few people from last year, but think we can overcome our losses and win a state championship.”
Combs had 12 kills in the win against Rocky Mount Academy with Hannah Scott Avery adding eight service aces and five kills, Alli Grant Avery contributing seven kills and Mackenzie Pope providing 25 assists.
Hannah Scott Avery said the team wants to bring a title to Kinston.
“We’re coming out really strong this year, our younger players have gotten better and we have a really strong six, so we’re going to go for the state championship as hard as we can. We’ve been putting so much work and effort into this, because we have the feeling of knowing we were almost there last year.”
