Ecklund's presence brings new dynamic to Princeton volleyball

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on September 4, 2015 1:48 PM

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PRINCETON -- Rosewood had heard a little bit about Daisy Ecklund before they stepped onto Rick Boyette Court inside the Princeton High School gymnasium on Thursday evening.

Now they know a little bit more about the West Virginia transfer.

Ecklund pounded out a team- and match-high 11 kills, logged two solo blocks and served three aces during the Bulldogs' 25-19, 25-15, 25-19 triumph over the Eagles in Carolina 1-A Conference volleyball play.

"We weren't prepared for number nine (Ecklund), but I don't think anybody is going to be prepared for her," RHS head coach Jennifer Cochran said. "I think the next time with practice we can do some different stuff that I wasn't prepared for (today)."

Ecklund attacked from all areas of the court and emerged as one of seven different hitters to record at least one kill in the three-set sweep. First-year setter Beth Braswell distributed 28 assists that helped lead to nine kills for Hailey Wood and seven kills for Kelsey Peedin.

Princeton had 43 kills as a team.

"She's not an overpowering personality, she was an instant mesh with the team," Princeton head coach Paige Renfrow said. "Even if she's not on the front making an attack, she's getting it up so somebody can attack the ball. She's a playmaker anywhere she is on the court (and) is always thinking 'OK, I can set it to you because you can make the play, too.'

"She's always thinking about the team."

Cochran felt her team handled Ecklund's jump serve well, particularly in the first two sets. She was, however, concerned with her team's inability to spread the court, which allowed Braswell to consistently run the Bulldogs' offense from the middle. Ecklund delivered several monster kills that either hit the floor or glanced off a Rosewood defender and sailed into the stands.

Then again, Cochran was pleased with her team's tenacity.

Princeton (6-1 overall, 2-0 CC) nearly squandered a six-point lead in the opening set, rallied from five down in the second set and took control after the teams battled to 11 ties during the first 30 points of the final set. The Bulldogs capitalized on three consecutive attack errors, which broke a 15-15 tie and enabled them to pull away for their 11th consecutive win over the Eagles.

"I think we played a little scared (but) I think we can play with them," said Cochran, whose team had 57 digs defensively. "We came into the game wanting to make sure they knew we were here, and we did. It was kind of a boring game, but the scores were close."

Rosewood (3-5, 1-1) finished with 15 kills, including five by senior middle hitter Lexi Mercer. Ada Rivera dished out 10 assists and Hannah Daniels served a team- and match-high five aces.

The Dogs had 28 total errors, while the Eagles had 27.