PRINCETON EDGES EAST SURRY IN FIVE SETS IN NCHSAA 1-A VOLLEYBALL
RALEIGH — Princeton outlasted East Surry in a dramatic five-set match on Saturday afternoon in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state 1-A volleyball championship at Reynolds Coliseum on the N.C. State campus.
Princeton was red hot early, winning the first two sets by 26-24 and 25-22. Then East Surry stormed back in convincing fashion to even it with 25-15 and 25-14 victories. In the decisive fifth set, the victorious Bulldogs held a 13-8 lead, saw East Surry draw within 14-12, and then put it away for a 15-12 triumph.
Senior setter Charley Cox of Princeton, who had 27 assists, was named the championship Most Valuable Player. Princeton also got great play from its back row, as Jenna Woodard had 29 digs and Taylor Carroll was credited with 24 digs and 19 kills.
Kacie Markle led East Surry with 15 kills and Cheyenne Kota added 10.
Princeton, the 10th seed in the Eastern half of the draw, finished the season 22-4 and ended the season with a flourish, winning in five sets in each of its last three playoff matches. The Bulldog victory over Lakewood in the regional final came against a team that had beaten it three times. East Surry wound up 29-2
Both teams were making their initial visit to the NCHSAA state volleyball championships.