BLADENBORO — West Bladen’s quest for a third place finish and a salute to its seniors made for a fun Tuesday at the Castle.
The Lady Knights of ninth-year head coach Gaye Davis knocked off St. Pauls 24-26, 25-21, 25-23, 25-18. The Lady Bulldogs are now only one game ahead of West Bladen in the Three Rivers Conference standings, and still must face league unbeaten Whiteville and travel to their rival Red Springs.
West Bladen is 9-5 in the Three Rivers, 11-5 overall. St. Pauls departed 10-4 in the league, 11-7 overall.
The Lady Knights’ 11 wins already match the 2018 total and are one shy of the most achieved under Davis (12, in 2013).
Seniors in their regular-season finale included Lexi Corrothers, Erica Storms, Mikayla Meadows and Jordan Benson. All played key roles, too.
“These seniors are a great bunch,” Davis said. “Lexi and Jordan have been a part of our program for four years. They have both been an important part of Knight volleyball. Jordan transitioned from a setter to our Libero this year and done a fabulous job.
“Erica plays a supporting role as a right-side hitter. Lexi has blossomed this year as an outsider hitter and blocker. Mikayla has stepped up to the plate with her leadership and volleyball skills. All of these girls will be missed on the court. They all bring different but much needed abilities to the court. They are a huge part of the success Knights varsity volleyball has had this year.”
Meadows had 18 kills, two solo blocks and three aces. Corrothers had 10 kills and three solo blocks. Benson had 15 digs.
Juniors Sidnee Walters, Amelia Brisson, Ashlyn Cox and Shelby Pharr also had big afternoons. Walters had six kills, seven assists and an ace among six service points; Brisson had three aces among 18 service points; Cox had an ace among 14 service points and 15 assists; and Pharr had five service points.
West Bladen wraps the regular season with a trip to second-place South Columbus on Thursday and a visit to rival East Bladen on Tuesday.
In the junior varsity match, West Bladen tumbled 26-24, 25-17. Catherine Dowless had nine service points and Whitney McLean had four kills. Others cited for good play included Caroline Brisson, Kylee Ward, Alyssa Suggs, Lydia Villagomez and Emily Young.
The JV Lady Knights are 5-8 in the Three Rivers and 6-8 overall.