Carolina 1-A finals: Princeton repeats as tournament champ

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on October 18, 2012 1:49 PM

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PRINCETON -- Two for two.

And five in a row.

Princeton retained its Carolina 1-A Conference tournament crown Wednesday evening as middle hitter Savanna Massengill delivered a match-high 17 kills during a 25-15, 22-25, 25-10, 25-20 triumph over archrival Rosewood.

The Bulldogs claimed their fifth straight win over the Eagles.

"Outstanding," second-year PHS coach Paige Renfrow said of the recent dominance in the series. "I've told the girls it's tough to beat a team three times, let alone five times from season to season. Rosewood is always a tough team to beat.

"We were a completely different team than last night (Tuesday vs. Spring Creek). We were together, we were playing our spots, we talked ... the dynamics were completely different."

Rosewood struggled again.

A third-set injury to junior middle hitter Ellen Morgan forced a minor change on the front row and head coach Jennifer Cochran substituted liberally during the final set. Morgan sat out the last set.

"I know this sounds crazy, but we're still pulling it all together," Cochran said. "I don't think it's anything fundamental. Now we have heart because we didn't give up, but it's a mental block ... we want it too bad and it's not happening for some reason.

"It's just one of those rocky seasons."

Massengill logged five blocks and two assists for Princeton, which extended its win streak to 12 matches. Front-line mates Amber Hill and Tori Paul contributed 14 and six kills, respectively.

The trio touched numerous balls at the net and the defense transitioned well into its offensive system during the 96-minute contest. Princeton hit .239 as a team and owned a 51-29 edge in team kills.

Bulldog setter Lauren Woodard handed out 27 assists.

"Savanna played awesome," Renfrow said. "I changed her in the Spring Creek game from starting on the back row to starting on the front row, and I think it made a difference. Tonight, starting her on the front row made a difference across the net altogether.

"Any time our blockers get a touch on the ball, we're able to play. The touches are not deflected off into the stands."

Rosewood hit .029 as a team and committed 29 attack errors. Anna Ingram contributed eight kills and two blocks, while Morgan finished with eight kills. Crystal Allen chipped in five kills and two blocks.

Scout Anderson dished out 15 assists.