Streaking Lady Flyers Begin Long Home Stand against Wake Tech on Wednesday
When the Sandhills Community College volleyball team entertains Wake Tech at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, it will only be its third home match of the month.
The Lady Flyers defeated Central Carolina CC 25-11, 25-8 and 25-10 in Sanford on Monday to improve to 11-3 overall and 3-0 in the Region X conference. Wednesday's non-conference match against the Division II Eagles is the first of seven in a row at home.
"Tonight was an opportunity to again have everybody get in and contribute to a conference win," Flyers coach Alicia Riggan said afterward. "We have to get back in the gym tomorrow and get ready for a tough match on Wednesday.
"I hope we bring a lot of excitement and energy. It's going to be exciting playing in front of our fans again."
Led by setter Abby Wallace, middle blocker Tee'Ashia Lilly and outside hitter Lilli Inman, the Flyers were efficient on the attack in taking the first set. They trailed 5-4 in the second before taking command by keeping the Cougars on their heels with tough serves.
Wallace was on the serving line for seven points in a row and Chelsea Green was there for seven more, including two aces, as the Flyers outscored the home team 21-3 during the remainder of the set. Rachael Mashburn (2) and Wallace were credited with aces early in the third to help keep the visitors rolling.
"I think one of the reasons we've been successful the last two years is by being aggressive with our serving," Riggan said. "We spend a lot of time in practice on serving and serve receive so the girls have it in them.
"Coach Kristin (Hylton) does a great job of calling out the zones. I thought we were a lot more consistent than we were last week at Wake Tech."
Only twice during the season have the Flyers totaled less than the eight service errors they had against the Cougars, now 1-8 overall and 1-2 in Region X. Their attack percentage of .397 was the second best of the season.
Mashburn led the team in kills with eight. Lilly and Inman were credited with six each. Wallace logged 29 assists and libero Shaedyn Housh had a team-high 11 digs.
Last Wednesday in Raleigh, the Flyers fell behind 2-1 at Wake Tech before pulling out a 3-2 victory.
"They had great ball control and they were super- scrappy," the coach said of the now 6-6 Eagles. "I hope we wake up and play well from the get-go like we did in that fifth set there."
The Lady Flyers will be seeking their seventh win in a row. They have now won 15 consecutive Region X matches, all in three sets, going back to the start of the 2017 season. The win at Wake Tech gave them a record of 8-1 this season in road and neutral court matches.
The home stand continues with conference matches at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday (Homecoming Day) against Rockingham CC.
C.Bergmann