Wesleyan volleyball falls in opener
Michael Lindsay | Enterprise Sports Writer Aug 17, 2021 Updated 5 hrs ago
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HIGH POINT — Wesleyan Christian wasn’t the experienced, polished team that Durham Academy was. But it showed promise.
In their first live action of the year, the Trojans fell 25-14, 25-8, 25-16 against the Cavaliers in nonconference volleyball Tuesday at Wesleyan to open their season.
“We’re young,” Wesleyan coach Kelly Castevens said. “First game, put it past us but also use it to just solidify our passing. Now we need reps.”
Ava Brown had 11 kills and two aces while Cate Barnwell had 19 assists to lead the Trojans, who have only a handful of players who have significant varsity experience. But the goal is to grow and learn and become a better team in the weeks to come.
“It’s a faster game,” said Castevens, who noted that her team wasn’t able to have a scrimmage before opening the season. “Their experience isn’t there yet. Durham’s a good team. Their setter, their defense is good.
“And I never want to give them a free ball and give them an opportunity to run a play. So, just a few things that, if you can’t hit the ball and get there, then you have to figure out a way to make it more difficult for them.”
Wesleyan, which lost standout Morgan Downs after she moved to the Raleigh area, stayed within three points in the latter half of the opening set. But Durham Academy won nine of the final 10 points to grab the early advantage.
In the second set, the Cavaliers, who have reached the NCISAA 4A semifinals three straight years and made the finals in 2019, quickly built an 8-1 lead, stretched it to as large as 17 and raced to a 2-0 lead.
Durham Academy again capitalized on its strong serving and solid play at key offensive positions to lead 9-3 in the third set, extended its advantage to 11 and closed out the match with four of the final six points.
The Trojans did show some resolve in the final set — pulling within 11-8 on a trio of good points and whittling an 11-point deficit to seven twice. But the Cavaliers made their final push to close out the win.
“I mentioned this in the huddle: Practice looked like another team,” Castevens said. “Today, I don’t know if it was nerves or what. But my passers who have been passing phenomenally, it wasn’t happening today.
“Our plan is to work on defense and just repetitive fundamentals — using your angles and staying low. It should never be a reaction. They’re wasting time reacting when they should already be ready and in position.”
Wesleyan, which reached the second round of the 4A playoffs last year, will next play six-time defending state champion North Raleigh Christian at home Thursday before visiting crosstown rival High Point Christian on Tuesday.
mlindsay@hpenews.com | 336-888-3526 | @HPEmichael
Michael Lindsay | Enterprise Sports Writer Aug 17, 2021 Updated 5 hrs ago
Save
HIGH POINT — Wesleyan Christian wasn’t the experienced, polished team that Durham Academy was. But it showed promise.
In their first live action of the year, the Trojans fell 25-14, 25-8, 25-16 against the Cavaliers in nonconference volleyball Tuesday at Wesleyan to open their season.
“We’re young,” Wesleyan coach Kelly Castevens said. “First game, put it past us but also use it to just solidify our passing. Now we need reps.”
Ava Brown had 11 kills and two aces while Cate Barnwell had 19 assists to lead the Trojans, who have only a handful of players who have significant varsity experience. But the goal is to grow and learn and become a better team in the weeks to come.
“It’s a faster game,” said Castevens, who noted that her team wasn’t able to have a scrimmage before opening the season. “Their experience isn’t there yet. Durham’s a good team. Their setter, their defense is good.
“And I never want to give them a free ball and give them an opportunity to run a play. So, just a few things that, if you can’t hit the ball and get there, then you have to figure out a way to make it more difficult for them.”
Wesleyan, which lost standout Morgan Downs after she moved to the Raleigh area, stayed within three points in the latter half of the opening set. But Durham Academy won nine of the final 10 points to grab the early advantage.
In the second set, the Cavaliers, who have reached the NCISAA 4A semifinals three straight years and made the finals in 2019, quickly built an 8-1 lead, stretched it to as large as 17 and raced to a 2-0 lead.
Durham Academy again capitalized on its strong serving and solid play at key offensive positions to lead 9-3 in the third set, extended its advantage to 11 and closed out the match with four of the final six points.
The Trojans did show some resolve in the final set — pulling within 11-8 on a trio of good points and whittling an 11-point deficit to seven twice. But the Cavaliers made their final push to close out the win.
“I mentioned this in the huddle: Practice looked like another team,” Castevens said. “Today, I don’t know if it was nerves or what. But my passers who have been passing phenomenally, it wasn’t happening today.
“Our plan is to work on defense and just repetitive fundamentals — using your angles and staying low. It should never be a reaction. They’re wasting time reacting when they should already be ready and in position.”
Wesleyan, which reached the second round of the 4A playoffs last year, will next play six-time defending state champion North Raleigh Christian at home Thursday before visiting crosstown rival High Point Christian on Tuesday.
mlindsay@hpenews.com | 336-888-3526 | @HPEmichael
