Pender overpowers Perquimans

Lady Pirates’ winning streak ends at 21

HERTFORD — Every playoff run has an end. For Perquimans’ volleyball team, the run ended one short of their goal.

Pender put on a hitting display that overwhelmed the Lady Pirates, leading to a 25-8, 25-17, 25-21 win in the Eastern Regional championship on Tuesday.

“They were good. I can’t take anything away from them,” Perquimans coach Kristie Thach said. “We did not play our best today, that was obvious. On our best day, I think we

would give them a good run for their money.”

Lady Patriot hitters combined on 42 kills, led by Haley Lanier with 18. Setter Leah Mackley directed the offense with 37 assists, finding the right hitter each time her team needed a big point.

Mackley and Lanier put their stamp on the match early, leading a 19-2 run that put the game out of reach. Lanier had nine of her kills during the run and Mackley had assists on 11 of the points.

“I think we knew what they were coming with,” said Thach, who team had its 21-match winning streak end. “We hadn’t seen any hitters like that all year. We anticipated (their power), but maybe not the level.”

The Lady Patriots got out to a nice lead in the second game, but Perquimans started to find itself midway through the game. The Lady Pirates closed to 13-11, but Pender went back to the net to extend the lead, the scored the final three points to take a 2-0 lead.

In the final game, Pender got out to an 8-1 lead as the Lady Pirates made some uncharacteristic mistakes. And once again, Perquimans found itself and made things hard on the Lady Patriots.

Trailing 23-14, Perquimans scraped its way back into the game. The Lady Pirates reeled off five in a row, then after Pender scored, got two Quinyotta Pettaway kills to stave off game point. But Jenna Baranowski hit the last of her 14 kills to end the match.

“I don’t think we really gave them a run for their money today,” Thach said. “You have to give them credit. They had a long trip, they came in here and they were ready to play. I just don’t think we were. I’m proud of my girls for not giving up. They could have given up that third game, but they fought back and fought back every point. I have to be happy about that. We don’t have anything to hang our heads about.”

After a slow start, Perquimans middle hitter Pettaway got into a little bit of a rhythm. In the second and third games, she amassed 11 of her 13 kills and all three blocks. Katie Copeland handed out 11 assists and Ally Winslow had nine.

Pender advances to the state championship match on Saturday at N.C. State.