Wesleyan posts 14th win in row
BY MICHAEL LINDSAY
ENTERPRISE SPORTS WRITER
HIGH POINT — Wesleyan Christian perhaps didn’t play its best match, but, more importantly, it did continue to win and gain confidence late in the season.
The Trojans, coming off a thrilling five-set victory against archrival High Point Christian the night before, did have a couple rough moments but regrouped well to cruise past Forsyth Country Day 25-17, 25-20, 25-19 in PACIS 3A volleyball Wednesday on Senior Night at Wesleyan.
“I think we were excited because it was Senior Night,” Wesleyan coach Kelly Castevens said. “So, our focus was a little off. We did come out with the win, but we didn’t play like we could’ve. They were emotional, but I think it’s because it’s our last home game.
“Our team has jelled so nicely — no drama, everybody’s on board and excited,” she said of the team’s recent play. “We were a little shaky in the beginning. But our confidence grew and grew, and we just came together as a team. It’s been our intensity in practice and how well they get along. It’s been great.”
Carrie Willard had nine kills to lead the Trojans (15-2 overall, 5-0 PACIS), who have won 14 straight matches since beginning the season 1-2. Leigha Bruce also had 32 assists, while Rachel Wilson had five aces, and Brianna
Cecil had 15 serve-receive passes and 20 digs.
Wesleyan has been playing very well of late, earning wins against some talented teams — including public 4A Southwest Guilford and public 2A West Davidson. On Tuesday against HPCA, another strong opponent, it came back from a set down and then pushed through to win the fifth set in extra points.
That was a huge boost for the Trojans, who have just two regular-season matches left — including their rematch against the Cougars on Oct. 13. The NCISAA 3A playoffs begin Oct. 22 at the higher seed (with the top four seeds earning a first-round bye) and conclude Oct. 29 at North Raleigh Christian.
“That was awesome,” said Anna Rollins, a senior right-side hitter and captain, of Tuesday’s win. “Especially for us seniors, because that was our last little taste of HPCA on our court.”
“And particularly since it was such a close game, back and forth the whole time,” said Bruce, a senior setter and captain. “We couldn’t ask for a better game. It was great.”
In the first set, Wesleyan led just 13-12 before going on a 12-5 run — highlighted by an early 6-0 spurt keyed by Wilson’s serving and play at the net and a couple opportune points at the net late by Kayla Darr — to grab the overall lead.
The Trojans, leading 13-10 in the second set, then won seven points in a row — lifted by Rollins’ elusive lefty serves that earned three straight aces — to lead 20-10. The Furies inched within 22-16 and 24-20 before Wesleyan finally closed out the set to lead the match overall, 2-0.
In the third set, the Trojans trailed early, 6-0 and then 8-7. They inched ahead 11-8 and maintained slim leads until a 4-0 spurt, keyed by back-to-back points by Wilson at the net, gave them a 20-15 lead and they eventually finished off the victory. Their next match is Tuesday at Covenant Day.
“We just need to stay focused,” Castevens said. “I know it’s getting toward the end and we’re tired. But we need to push through, keep the intensity up and just play our game.”
BY MICHAEL LINDSAY
ENTERPRISE SPORTS WRITER
HIGH POINT — Wesleyan Christian perhaps didn’t play its best match, but, more importantly, it did continue to win and gain confidence late in the season.
The Trojans, coming off a thrilling five-set victory against archrival High Point Christian the night before, did have a couple rough moments but regrouped well to cruise past Forsyth Country Day 25-17, 25-20, 25-19 in PACIS 3A volleyball Wednesday on Senior Night at Wesleyan.
“I think we were excited because it was Senior Night,” Wesleyan coach Kelly Castevens said. “So, our focus was a little off. We did come out with the win, but we didn’t play like we could’ve. They were emotional, but I think it’s because it’s our last home game.
“Our team has jelled so nicely — no drama, everybody’s on board and excited,” she said of the team’s recent play. “We were a little shaky in the beginning. But our confidence grew and grew, and we just came together as a team. It’s been our intensity in practice and how well they get along. It’s been great.”
Carrie Willard had nine kills to lead the Trojans (15-2 overall, 5-0 PACIS), who have won 14 straight matches since beginning the season 1-2. Leigha Bruce also had 32 assists, while Rachel Wilson had five aces, and Brianna
Cecil had 15 serve-receive passes and 20 digs.
Wesleyan has been playing very well of late, earning wins against some talented teams — including public 4A Southwest Guilford and public 2A West Davidson. On Tuesday against HPCA, another strong opponent, it came back from a set down and then pushed through to win the fifth set in extra points.
That was a huge boost for the Trojans, who have just two regular-season matches left — including their rematch against the Cougars on Oct. 13. The NCISAA 3A playoffs begin Oct. 22 at the higher seed (with the top four seeds earning a first-round bye) and conclude Oct. 29 at North Raleigh Christian.
“That was awesome,” said Anna Rollins, a senior right-side hitter and captain, of Tuesday’s win. “Especially for us seniors, because that was our last little taste of HPCA on our court.”
“And particularly since it was such a close game, back and forth the whole time,” said Bruce, a senior setter and captain. “We couldn’t ask for a better game. It was great.”
In the first set, Wesleyan led just 13-12 before going on a 12-5 run — highlighted by an early 6-0 spurt keyed by Wilson’s serving and play at the net and a couple opportune points at the net late by Kayla Darr — to grab the overall lead.
The Trojans, leading 13-10 in the second set, then won seven points in a row — lifted by Rollins’ elusive lefty serves that earned three straight aces — to lead 20-10. The Furies inched within 22-16 and 24-20 before Wesleyan finally closed out the set to lead the match overall, 2-0.
In the third set, the Trojans trailed early, 6-0 and then 8-7. They inched ahead 11-8 and maintained slim leads until a 4-0 spurt, keyed by back-to-back points by Wilson at the net, gave them a 20-15 lead and they eventually finished off the victory. Their next match is Tuesday at Covenant Day.
“We just need to stay focused,” Castevens said. “I know it’s getting toward the end and we’re tired. But we need to push through, keep the intensity up and just play our game.”
