North Lenoir refused to let an early two-set deficit turn into a third consecutive loss. The Hawks battled back to defeat North Johnston 18-25, 23-25, 25-16, 25-19, 15-9 Wednesday in a Three Rivers 4A Conference match. North Lenoir improved to 11-3 overall and 4-2 in conference play. North Johnston fell to 6-8 overall and 3-2 in the conference.