North Lenoir opens season 3-0 after four-set win over Greene Central
North Lenoir has wasted little time finding its footing to open the volleyball season.
The Hawks improved to 3-0 with a 3-1 victory over Greene Central, winning 25-8, 19-25, 25-18 and 25-20 after previously sweeping Kinston and Beddingfield.
North Lenoir head coach Heather Carson said she expected Greene Central to provide a challenge after the Rams had an opportunity to see the Hawks during preseason scrimmages.
“It was a very good match,” Carson said. “We came out and I told them Greene Central was going to be ready. They came out to our scrimmages on Saturday and they were ready to play, and we were ready.”
North Lenoir made an early statement in the opening set, rolling to a 25-8 win before Greene Central responded in the second set with a 25-19 victory.
The Hawks regained control in the third, taking the set 25-18.
Greene Central then came out strong in the fourth and held the lead for much of the set, but North Lenoir rallied late to secure a 25-20 win and close out the match.
Camryn Jenkins led the Hawks with 13 kills, while Kennedi Starkie and Raye Tilghman each finished with eight kills. Starkie added five blocks, while Tilghman recorded three.
Kenzie Carson contributed five kills, and Maddie Howard directed the offense with 29 assists.
The early success has come with a North Lenoir roster that is still learning how to play together.
“We do have a younger team,” Carson said. “We are excited, new faces out here. We are really trying to get everyone meshing and together.”
Starkie said the chemistry within the group has helped make that transition easier.
“I think with our new team, it is definitely good,” Starkie said. “We work with each other, we all like each other, we communicate right. If there is a mistake, we are able to tell each other and have each other’s back.”
Asked how it felt to begin the season with three consecutive wins, Starkie kept the answer simple.
“It feels amazing,” she said.
North Lenoir opened its season with a 3-0 sweep of Kinston, winning 25-12, 25-16 and 25-9.
Jenkins finished that match with nine kills, 10 service points and six aces. Starkie had 16 service points and seven aces, while Kenzie Carson recorded 11 service points and nine aces.
Tilghman added five kills, and Howard finished with 11 assists.
The Hawks followed with another sweep against Beddingfield, winning 25-12, 25-7 and 25-14.
Jenkins and Starkie each recorded seven kills against the Bruins, Tilghman added five and Howard totaled 15 assists.
Through three matches, Carson has been pleased with the way her team has responded while also recognizing there is still plenty to clean up.
“I felt like we performed well,” Carson said. “We know we got things to work on and we are coming back to practice tomorrow to correct some mistakes, but I am very pleased with them.”
Three matches into the season, North Lenoir has already shown the ability to dominate in straight-set victories and respond when pushed in a tighter match.
For a young group still learning how all the pieces fit together, a 3-0 start is a promising beginning.
