RALEIGH, N.C. — The rematch of last year's N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 4A state semifinal ended the same way as its precursor — with a win for North Raleigh Christian Academy.On Thursday, the No. 21 Knights (17-2, 4-0 Triangle Independent) defended home court as they overcame a rough first set showing by defeating Wesleyan Christian Academy (10-4, 7-0 Piedmont Triad Athletic), 3-1 (18-25, 26-24, 25-14, 25-15). The triumph was the 14th straight for the Knights, who have not lost since Aug. 15...
RALEIGH, N.C. — The rematch of last year's N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 4A state semifinal ended the same way as its precursor — with a win for North Raleigh Christian Academy.
On Thursday, the No. 21 Knights (17-2, 4-0 Triangle Independent) defended home court as they overcame a rough first set showing by defeating Wesleyan Christian Academy (10-4, 7-0 Piedmont Triad Athletic), 3-1 (18-25, 26-24, 25-14, 25-15). The triumph was the 14th straight for the Knights, who have not lost since Aug. 15, and remain unbeaten against in-state opponents.
This was NRCA's first game in 12 days. The last time they took the court was Sept. 12 when they swept through the Volley with the Knights Tournament with a trio of victories. However, that long break may have left them a bit rusty during the first set on Thursday.
"Definitely there was some rust," NRCA junior middle Madison Muto said. "But I'm really happy that we were able to come together as a team, work together, and play how we normally play rather than what you saw in the first."
A lot of the first set difficulties levied against the Knights were thanks to the play of WCA star senior Nejari Crooks.
Crooks, an All-American committed to Penn State, is a three-time HSOT All-State performer and is the reigning Gatorade North Carolina Player of the Year. With that resume, there are a lot of expectations each time she enters the gym. And throughout the night, Crooks fit the bill.
She racked up a few kills at the start of the match to open a 7-3 lead for the Trojans. However, NRCA came rushing back as Knight senior Jenna Stefansky dove to dig up two difficult attacks before Muto finished the kill to make it 10-10.
NRCA made a few errors that helped Wesleyan reopen a lead. Then, a long rally ended with a kill from junior Aubrey Shores to cement the momentum for the Trojans. Down the stretch, WCA's Elle Gardner stacked a block and another kill to ice the first set win for the Trojans.
The second set proved to be the most pivotal and most competitive of the evening.
Trojan senior hitter Madison Lewis opened hot as a stove. She cooked up a block and two more early kills as WCA took a 10-6 lead. However, a block from Muto ignited the Knights, which went on a sizeable run before claiming a 19-15 advantage.
Eventually, a savvy kill by NRCA's Katherine Lightbourn helped capture a 26-24 second set win that teed up the beginning of a fruitful final three sets for the home team.
The Knights rolled in the third set, using a run of three aces from Lightbourn to create separation before claiming the set 25-14. The final set ended similarly, though, it began with WCA making a final stand.
Crooks led the Trojans with some powerful and well-placed hitting as the Trojans took an 11-8 advantage. That's when NRCA rattled off seven unanswered to grab control of the set. An eventual 14-2 run helped put things away as the Knights won 25-15.
"Moving forward, this probably — hopefully — will put us up a little higher in the rankings and will put us in a better seat for when we get the championship," Muto said. "So, I think that's the biggest thing going coming from this game."