Local digest

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on October 17, 2006 1:48 PM

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Golden Falcons advance in ECC volleyball tournament

WILSON -- Charles B. Aycock and Wilson Hunt emerged victorious during opening-round play in the 2006 Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference volleyball tournament, which began Monday evening at Beddingfield.

Shelly Lancaster and Amy Fryt pounded out six kills apiece as the third-seeded Golden Falcons swept sixth-seeded Kinston 25-21, 25-14, 25-20. Lancaster also served five aces.

"We did what we had to do," said Aycock coach Davis Harris.

Kinston concluded the year 0-15.

Fourth-seeded Hunt clinched the league's fourth and final playoff berth with a 25-11, 22-25, 25-16, 25-12 decision over fifth-seeded Southern Wayne. The Saints ended the year 3-8.

C.B. Aycock (12-5) opposes Wilson Beddingfield, the reigning ECC tournament champion, at 5 p.m. today. Hunt (10-9) faces top-seeded Eastern Wayne, which earned a share of the regular-season title -- its first in school history -- at approximately 7 p.m.

The championship match is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Panthers pull

out 5-set thriller

LITTLEFIELD -- North Johnston let a two-set advantage slip away before turning back North Duplin 25-18, 25-18, 22-25, 19-25, 17-15 in Carolina 1-A Conference tournament action Monday.

The fifth-seeded Panthers face regular-season co-champion Rosewood, the No. 1 seed, in semifinal-round play today at Rosewood. Match time is 7 p.m.

Despite the loss, North Duplin (9-7) has clinched the program's first playoff berth since 1990.

"This was a tough loss," said Rebels coach Heather Best. "We started off slow, but regained our composure for the third and fourth games. The fifth game went to the wire, and we fought hard.

"I'm proud of the girls. They never quit and never gave up."

Heather Hudson posted a double-double -- 11 kills and 10 digs. She also recorded six blocks and one assist.

"Heather did a fantastic job at the net," said Best.

Julie Ivey contributed four kills, four aces and six digs. Vanessa Lynch provided a team-high 12 assists and eight digs. Brittany Carr also had eight digs to go along with three kills and five aces.

Sam Cates chipped in four kills, four assists and four digs. Casey Pate registered two kills and six digs.

Playoff-bound Ayden-Grifton swept Spring Creek 25-20, 25-23, 25-16 and faces second-seeded Princeton in the semifinals today.

The Gators concluded the year 4-12.

Soccer

Gators suffer

first C/T-RC loss

SEVEN SPRINGS -- State-ranked North Johnston shut out Spring Creek 1-0 and knocked the Gators from the unbeaten ranks in Carolina/Tar-Roanoke 1-A Conference play Monday.

The Panthers, ranked No. 9 in the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association 1-A poll, handed the Gators (9-2 overall) their first defeat in six C/T-RC outings this season.

"The way they're playing, I don't see them losing any more games," said first-year Spring Creek coach Russell Stephens. "We're playing pretty good ourselves. They scored on a header in the box."

Spring Creek keeper Angel Sanchez had eight saves. Stephens said that Octavio Huerta played very well defensively.

The Gators entertain Rosewood at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Saints drop

home ECC affair

DUDLEY -- Zachary Thomas tallied two goals as Wilson Hunt eased past Southern Wayne 3-0 in Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference play Monday.

Aaron White provided one goal for the Warriors, who improved to 6-3 in conference play.

The Saints fell to 0-11 overall and conclude regular-season play Wednesday at county rival C.B. Aycock. Game time is 7 p.m.

Middle schools

Norwayne volleyball d. Rosewood 6-25, 25-16, 25-17, 25-21 -- Norwayne remained unbeaten in 10 outings, including a 4-0 worksheet against Wayne County Middle School Athletic Conference Division I foes. The Cobras entertain Grantham on Wednesday. Rosewood fell to 7-2 overall and received solid serving efforts from Jenna Aycock, Rebecca Fail, Heather Silvani, Kerri Jo Gurley and Kristen Lynn. The Eagles play host to Dillard on Thursday.

Eastern Wayne soccer d. Grantham 12-0 -- Steven Taylor, Nick Bowden, Denzel Benjamin and Benito Avila each scored two goals for the Warriors. Will Borden provided one goal and a match-high three assists. Joseph Chavez, Jason Horne and Tyler Muehlenthaler each contributed one goal. Ryan Allison added an assist. Eastern Wayne (8-0-1, 5-0-1 WCMSAC Division I) entertains Spring Creek next Monday.