Adams Helps Finish Off St. Andrews with Hot Hand on Serving Line
Five services aces by Chandler Adams during a run of fifteen points in a row during the fourth set helped the Sandhills CC volleyball team complete a 25-21, 25-17, 20-25 and 25-9 home victory over the St. Andrews junior varsity Monday evening.
The sophomore product of Union Pines High School finished with seven aces in all as the Lady Flyers won their fifth match in a row. The outside hitter's all-around effort also included 13 digs and 10 kills.
Taking over at setter for the third match in a row because of an injury to Cheyenne Brown, freshman Leah Salzwedel was credited with 40 assists. Libero Erica Groff led the team in digs with 38. Middle hitter Morgan McCarthy was the leader in kills with 13.
The Flyers (7-4, 2-0 Region X) entertain conference rival Davidson County CC (4-4, 1-1) in a 6 p.m. start at Heins Gymnasium on Wednesday (Moore County Night).
Flyers' coach Alicia Riggan hopes her squad will get off to a better start against The Storm than they did in the first three sets versus St. Andrews.
"I'm sure it's going to be a competitive game," the coach said, looking ahead. "Last year we beat them both times we played them for the first time since I've been here. They've kind of been on a roller coaster like we have. Hopefully being at home will be to our advantage."
The Flyers came back from early deficits to take the first two sets, but gave the visitors comeback notions after trailing from start to finish in the third. The teams were tied at 4-4 when Adams began her run in the fourth with an ace.
Holly Martindale and Morgan McCarthy each contributed a pair of kills during the decisive 15 point burst that helped sew up the win.
"I knew I had to focus because if I think about anything else something goes bad," Adams said of her mindset at the time. "It's better to do it naturally and let it flow."
Also serving tough was Martindale with 16 service points, including two aces to go with 10 kills and 11 digs. Kaylee Lopez-Rosario contributed a dozen digs to the Flyer cause.
Watching the action holding crutches was Brown who sprained an ankle while practicing jump serves before last Thursday's match at Guilford Tech. She is scheduled to have it X-rayed on Wednesday.
"We don't think it's broken, but it's healing slower than we thought it would," she said. "I'm not used to being on the bench. Missing a lot of conference games is really upsetting, but I'm really proud of Leah taking my spot and doing a great job."
Looking on as Adams fired away in the fourth set was Kirk Lynch, a member of the executive staff at Sandhills. Last week, his daughter Keegan, a Pinecrest High School graduate, set an NCAA Division III record when she served for 24 points in a row during the second set of Meredith College's 3-0 victory over Elizabeth City State. Eight of the senior libero's points came on aces and she tied a school record with 10 in the match.
C. Bergmann
Photo by: Donna Ford