Spring Creek claims 3-set sweep of Rosewood
By Allen Etzler
Published in Sports on October 3, 2014 1:50 PM
After winning the first set, Spring Creek head volleyball coach Staci Pence called her team to the bench.
"We have this pattern where when we play really well in the first game, we come out in the second game and fall flat on our face," Pence said. "I wanted them to know that we had to keep that same fire that same intensity and carry it to the second game."
The Gators couldn't let up.
Not this game.
Not this night.
It was too important.
Spurned on by seniors Sarah Ford and Rachel McCollum, the Gators upended Rosewood 25-19, 26-24, 25-19 to take sole possession of third place in the Carolina 1-A Conference on Thursday afternoon.
The Gators helped solidify their postseason chances, but the win meant even more because nobody on the team could remember the last time Spring Creek defeated Rosewood.
"I haven't been here long enough to know when the last time was," Pence said.
"I know we haven't beat them in my four years here, so this was a big deal," McCollum added.
Finally, Ford made the boldest statement of all.
"I don't think we've beat them in (any girl sport) ever," she said. "The girls are really pumped up about this."
Ford and McCollum combined for 23 kills, 25 assists and six aces in a match that the Gators never really lost control of.
"We're just not playing together," Cochran said. "In volleyball if you're not playing together and don't know where everyone is on the court it kind of messes up everything."
The Gators trailed just twice during the match. Any time Rosewood tried to mount a comeback, Spring Creek would thwart it and start a mini run of its own.
Rosewood struggled to find chemistry, as has been the case for the past three matches since setter Ada Rivera has returned from a concussion. The first set, in particular, featured plenty of one-hit volleys over the net for the Eagles, as well as a lack of communication.
"We didn't give up, but we just haven't recovered from that whole concussion incident," Cochran said. "It's got to get better, we have two games left, so there's a way we could get in (to the playoffs)."
While McCollum usually racks up the kills, and Ford the assists, the roles were reversed in some situations.
Ford registered five kills on well-placed off-speed shots that she found out she'd be able to use as the game developed. The Eagles were leaving open holes in the middle of the court and Ford took advantage.
"Sarah is just very good at seeing the how the court opens up and taking advantage of whatever the defense is giving her," Pence said.
Lexie Reyes had eight digs for Spring Creek.
Lexi Mercer had 12 kills and five blocks, and Rivera had 20 assists for Rosewood. The Eagles have matches remaining against league-leading Lakewood and North Duplin.
"If they want to play and they have motivation at the beginning they'll play," Cochran said. "I don't what the magic is with this team."