Lady Elks sweep Starmount Rams in three sets

The Lady Elks of Elkin High School travelled just nine miles to Boonville on Thursday, Sept. 8 to face off on the volleyball court with their rivals, the Lady Rams of Starmount High School. Both teams have faced some tough challenges with non-conference games, and both were looking for a win in this early conference match-up. Although each set was intense, the Elks were able to sweep the Rams, winning in three sets.

The first set started out with very even play with points and serves going back and forth between the two teams. There were eight score ties with neither team going ahead by more than two points. Finally, with the score tied 11-11, EHS managed a four-point run to bring the score to 15-11 to take the lead which would hold the rest of the set. Starmount took a time-out and then quickly picked up two points of their own bringing the score to 15-13 with Elkin still ahead. Elkin then picked up the next three points led by the attacks of senior Monica Bridgeman. Starmount continued to battle hard and broke the Elkin run bringing the score to 18-14. Elkin sophomore Presley Baker quickly thwarted the Rams attempt at their own run with a couple of solid blocks. EHS senior Bailey Copeland delivered some consistent serves to lead her team on a four-point run. SHS senior Layken Mathis brought the Elk’s run to an end with a searing block to pick up a point for the Rams. Mathis’ block sparked a three-point run by the Rams to bring the score to 22-17. Bridgeman delivers a stinging kill to win the serve back and to add another point for the Elks. With the score 23-17, Elkin gives the Rams a free point on an errant long drive. The Elks however quickly closed out the first set with two scorching kills from Bridgeman to take the win 25-18.

Again, the second set began with both teams going point for point. With good offensive play, Starmount finally managed to jump ahead by three points bringing the score to 5-8. Elkin senior Mia Reinhardt gave the Elks some good serves to spark a four-point run by the Elks. Sophomore Ayla Ford delivered a tip-kill to put the Elks back into the lead 9-8. However, not to be outdone, the Rams went on a 5-1 run re-claiming the lead at 13-10. EHS head coach called a time-out to settle his team. The time-out proved to be effective as Ford quickly delivered a kill to bring the score to 13-11. The two teams again traded points and play back and forth until EHS managed to tie the game at 17-17. However, the Rams hustle and determination earned them the next 3 points. Finally, with the score 18-20, the Elks decided it was time to get serious. A kill from the back row for Bridgeman gave the Elks renewed energy which led to three consecutive kills by Ford earning the lead back for the Elks and bringing the score to 22-20. Starmount took a time-out hoping to curb the Elks’ momentum. Out of the time-out, Copeland delivered a tip-kill to give the Elks the lead, 23-20. One last offensive effort by the Rams brought the score to 23-22. The Elks were able to put the set away with another kill by Copeland and an ace served by team setter Lily Robbins. The Elks win the set 25-22.

After two close sets, the Rams came out in the third set with a renewed determination and took a very quick 5-0 lead. The Elks made several errors but kept battling and managed to pick up a few points. With the score 8-3, EHS Coach Symons called a time-out to rally his team. With play and points going back and forth, the Elks went on an 8-6 run. With the score 11-14, Baker made a solid block which seemed to ignite the Elks and gave them a new spirit bringing the score to 12-14. However, on the next play, Baker went up for another block and landed on the foot of a Ram and rolled her ankle. Baker had to leave the game with the score at 12-15. Starmount managed to keep the lead while trading the next few points. With the score 19-22, Robbins again found Bridgeman with a good set which led to a kill bringing the score to 20-22. Copeland delivered with a great serve inching the Elks closer at 21-22. However, SHS picked up the next point bringing the lead back to 2 for the Rams at 21-23. Bridgeman made a kill on the next play giving the Elks control that they refused to relinquish. Down by one point, 22-23, EHS senior Josie Hoyle delivered a great serve which set the stage for another kill by Bridgeman. With the score tied 23 all, Hoyle delivers a blistering ace giving the Elks their first lead of the set. With momentum in their favor, Hoyle drops another great serve. On the return, Robbins finds Bridgeman again for the kill giving the Elks set point and the game at 25-23.

Elkin head coach Jon Symons remarked, “I am really proud of our girls tonight. When their teammate had to leave the game, it would have been easy for them to get down and give up the set. However, they maintained their composure and focus and kept battling. They found the win.”

The Elks are now 3-0 in conference play and 5-5 overall. Elkin plays at Alleghany High School on Tuesday. Suffering several close losses, Starmount is now 1-2 in conference play and 4-4 overall. The Rams play at Millennium Charter on Monday.