Princeton defeats Manteo volleyball

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on October 19, 2013 11:10 PM

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PRINCETON -- Ho hum.

Another three-set win.

Oh, but this one meant a little more Saturday afternoon.

Charley Cox distributed 28 assists among seven different hitters during Princeton's 25-8, 25-17, 25-15 conquest of Manteo in first-round action of the 2013 N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-A volleyball playoffs.

The Bulldogs, winners of 22 consecutive matches, continue play at home Tuesday against Lakewood. A match time has not been determined.

"Any round in the state playoffs is tough because there are teams you haven't seen, and a lot of them are teams you really don't here about because they are all over the state," third-year PHS head coach Paige Renfrow said. "You just have to play your game ... stay tight with your game and your defense."

Princeton did.

The Bulldogs, as usual, covered the floor well against the slower-paced Redskins. Numerous touches on balls led to attacks, which kept Manteo's defense on its heels a majority of the 64-minute affair.

Just one ball -- a second-set ace by Lucy Mason -- dropped to the floor without any Princeton player touching it.

"Our defense ... our coverage (pleased me)," Renfrow said. "We've been working hard, especially on our tips coverage and our off-the-block coverage. Our defense did a great job today on the tips off the block or their hitters roll shotting or tipping in the open holes.

"Charley was able to pick them up ... Jenna (Woodard). Our front line was able to pick up behind the middles on the tips. I know that the better teams are going to be placing it (the ball) and that's all we're going to see from here on out, and that's the best of the best."

Princeton capped the opening set with a 7-0 run. Manteo committed hitting errors to end the second and third sets, respectively.

The Bulldogs led 36-20 in team kills, 5-1 in blocks and 5-1 in service aces. Senior outside hitter Tori Paul paced a balanced offensive attack with 10 kills, while senior middle hitter Savanna Massengill and junior middle hitter Kasey Edwards logged nine kills apiece.

Kaylee Thomas led Manteo with eight kills.