Kinston volleyball broke through Tuesday night, sweeping Tarboro 3-0 (25-8, 25-17, 25-18) for the program’s first win since Oct. 11, 2022, and first straight-set victory since Sept. 16, 2019.

Clinton, North Pitt, Washington, Greene Central, and Lejeune headline the East RPI picture, while North Lenoir, South Lenoir, East Duplin, and Jones Senior remain firmly in the playoff chase.

Local volleyball races are tightening as Ayden-Grifton, Farmville Central, North Lenoir, and East Duplin sit among the top seeds in the East RPI, while Greene Central, South Lenoir, and Jones Senior remain in the playoff mix.

Tarboro, Northside-Pinetown, Pender, and Eastern Wayne headline the East RPI race, while Greene Central, Kinston, and Ayden-Grifton sit firmly in playoff contention and South Lenoir, Farmville Central, and North Johnston battle on the bubble.

Check out this week’s schedule

The Martin County Gators shocked Greene Central on the road Friday night, using two blocked punts returned for touchdowns and a physical defensive effort to leave Snow Hill with a 38-14 upset victory.

The Kinston Vikings (3-2) delivered a statement win Friday night, dismantling rival South Lenoir (3-2) in a 59-6 victory at home. Behind a nearly perfect outing from quarterback Tyler Jones, explosive receiving from Tyreek Copper, and a punishing ground game from Genesis Wiggins, the Vikings built a 47-0 halftime lead and never looked back.

North Lenoir got a tough welcome to the new Three Rivers 4A Conference on Friday night, falling 43-0 to perennial contender Southwest Edgecombe at Bullock Field.

In last week’s 46-6 win over Spring Creek, Wooten turned in his best performance yet. The junior quarterback completed 3-of-6 passes for 17 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing six times for 158 yards and a score. His highlight came on a 79-yard touchdown run that put the exclamation mark on the Blue Devils’ victory.

In a 3-0 sweep over Southside, Whaley turned in a standout performance with 19 service points and 17 digs, setting the tone on both ends of the court. Her consistency has been a driving force for Jones this fall, and the numbers speak for themselves.

Jones Senior will host Wayne Christian on Friday night with kickoff set for 7 p.m. in Trenton. The contest is also the Trojans’ annual Military Appreciation Game, where the school will recognize and honor those who have served and continue to serve our nation.

The NCHSAA released its latest Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) standings this week, the system that determines playoff seeding across football, volleyball and soccer. RPI is based on a team’s winning percentage, opponents’ winning percentage, and opponents’ opponents’ winning percentage — and it’s the only factor used when postseason brackets are set.