Knuckles leads East Wake volleyball to first league win, past Southeast Raleigh
Those associated with the East Wake volleyball team insist that its record is not indicative of the Warriors’ talent level, and that seemed especially true Tuesday evening in a 25-16, 25-22, 25-23 win over Southeast Raleigh that produced East Wake’s first Greater Neuse River Conference victory of the season.
Tamira Knuckles had 11 kills, 14 digs, four solo blocks and three aces in a fine all-around performance for East Wake (2-10, 1-4 GNRC), has won two of its last three with the loss in that span a five-setter to GNRC contender Rolesville.
“We just had to get in rhythm and get more confident with ourselves, and understand that we have the skill to be a winning team,” said East Wake assistant coach Ashlee Harris, who filled in for head coach Keauna Vinson. “The girls are more confident in themselves and each other.”
Southeast (0-7, 0-4 GNRC) had its chances, putting itself in position to win both the second and third sets, but the Bulldogs were done in by some clutch play by East Wake as well as self-induced mistakes.
In the third set, the Bulldogs led 21-18 before East Wake went a match-ending 7-2 run capped by a McKenzie Moore kill.
Among the bright spots for Southeast was sophomore Maya Johnson, who had 15 kills and two blocks.
“We’re improving, believe it or not,” Southeast coach Tammy Lackey said. “There are a lot of little things that we are working on that we have to clean up. If we can continue to do that, we’ll get better.”
TURNING POINT
After losing the first set, Southeast had a chance to win the second set, winning seven of nine points to knot the score at 19. However, Moore had a big kill to spark a five-point surge that enabled East Wake to win the set and take a 2-0 lead.
THEY SAID IT
“It feels good to get the win,” Knuckles said. “We have the skill, we just need to keep it going and stay positive.”
THREE TO KNOW
Tamira Knuckles, East Wake: The senior did it all, both offensively and defensively for the Warriors. She was particularly strong stifling Southeast scoring opportunities with a number of impressive digs in the first set, setting the tone for the match.
Alexis Tripp, East Wake: The junior had six kills, six digs and an assist in the winning cause.
Maya Johnson, Southeast: The sophomore provided a consistent scoring threat for the Bulldogs with her 15 kills. “She’s made a lot of improvement,” Lackey said. “She’s still trying to learn how to control her body and staying in the game, not thinking too much. If she can do that she’ll be fine.”
BY THE NUMBERS
5: Runs of five or more points put together by East Wake.
6: Service errors tallied by Southeast.
25: Total kills for East Wake.
LOOKING AHEAD
East Wake is home for its next two matches, hosting Knightdale on Thursday before meeting Wakefield on Monday. Southeast hosts Clayton on Sept. 20 before visiting Garner two days later.
This story was originally published September 15, 2016 at 2:11 PM with the headline "Knuckles leads East Wake volleyball to first league win, past Southeast Raleigh."