EAGLES COMPETITIVE AGAINST EAST SURRY

It’s rare when the coach of the losing team is pleased with their team’s performance but that was the case with the Wilkes Central High School volleyball team on Wednesday as they hosted the Cardinals of East Surry in Moravian Falls. Despite being swept 3-0 (25-17, 25-19 and 25-16), Eagles’ Head Coach Ashley Clonch was pleased with the play and progress of her young team. In their first match of the season East Surry defeated the Eagles in three games that were not very competitive (25-9, 25-5 and 25-10), but this time the Eagles put forth a much better showing. “The last time we played them it was the first game of the season, today we were more prepared,” said Clonch. “Also we blocked today, which we didn’t do when we played at East Surry. Today, Malaya (Cowles) got a bunch of blocks and we got a lot of touches. I am pleased with where we are going right now. “We knew (Bethany Clayton) was their best player and we knew we had to get hands on her and we were more successful with that this time. She is a college prospect; plus another week of practice makes us better,” Clonch added. Much of Clonch’s optimism is based on the fact her team is extremely young. “We are a young team, we are just starting to get a little more confidence in ourselves. Cowles, the 6-foot-2 girl, is just a freshman. Our setter is another freshman, Karlie Anderson. They are learning,” stated Clonch. In the first game, the Eagles held an early 4-1 lead and in the second game Wilkes Central led 7-4 but in both games the Cardinals rallied to win. In the third game, East Surry jumped out to a 6-0 lead, but the Eagles rallied to make it as close as 20-16 down the stretch before losing the last five points. Clayton led her team with 11 kills and 14 digs on the night. “We think we can play right now and I think we are going to continue to improve. I think we are going to surprise people in conference play,” said Clonch. After staying close to East Surry in each of the games, Clonch had high praise for her opponent, saying, “East Surry should make a run for the state title in the 1A volleyball. I think with a player like Clayton they could easily be a final four type team.” Clonch also singled out several players for their performances. “Lacey Triplett played very well tonight, from the first game until now she is digging a lot of balls for us which is helping our offense. I’m proud of her for that. Kelsey Call got a couple good points serving the ball, she’s one of our best servers." Triplett had a team-high five aces in the game for the Eagles and received 22 serves with just three errors. Anderson led the team in digs with seven and assists with 10. Cowles finished the game with five kills while Noel Noblett and Madison German each added four. The Eagles (1-4) return to action on Tuesday when they travel to Surry Central for their final nonconference match. They’ll open up Mountain Valley Athletic Conference play next Thursday when they host rival West Wilkes.

EAGLES COMPETITIVE AGAINST EAST SURRY

Photo Credit: Brandon Moree

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