West Johnston leads Greater Neuse in volleyball after win at Clayton
Conference volleyball championships are nothing new to Meredith Blake – she helped win three of them during her playing career at Bunn High School.
Just six years after graduating from Bunn, Blake is on the cusp of claiming another league crown, this time in her initial season in charge of the program at West Johnston.
Blake and the Wildcats moved into the top spot outright in the Greater Neuse River 4A Conference by defeating host Clayton on Thursday by a 25-21, 25-14, 25-14 margin.
West Johnston, which failed to make the playoffs last fall, is now 12-6 overall and 9-3 in the GNRC. The Wildcats need to defeat Garner and second-place Knightdale on the road next week to finalize the GNRC title.
The loss dimmed Clayton’s postseason hopes and dropped the Comets to 6-12 and 4-8.
“Where we came from, this is pretty hard to believe,’’ said West Johnston sophomore hitter Tessa Starkweather. “I’m really proud of what we have been able to do in just one year. Coach Blake came in here and put her heart into it right from the start. She told us what we could accomplish if we played as a team, and not just as individuals.”
Turning point
The opening set was close before the Wildcats took the lead for good at 20-19 off a service winner from Kelsey Ellis. Abby Barbour would earn four of West Johnston’s final five points off kills, and the Wildcats were in charge to stay. Tessa Starkweather also had a clutch kill during the decisive stretch.
Three who mattered
Tessa Starkweather, West Johnston: Delivered a match-high 13 kills to go with three aces. A sophomore, Starkweather is a capable performer both up front and along the back row.
Abby Barbour, West Johnston: The Wildcats’ most accomplished frontliner continued her effective season with nine kills and two blocks. She also contributed three aces and finished off the first set with back-to-back kills.
Kelsey Ellis, West Johnston: A middle hitter, Ellis offered eight kills, five of which came in the third set.
By the numbers
24: The age of West Johnston coach Meredith Blake, who has proven to be a quick learner in her rookie coaching season on the high school level.
1-4: West Johnston’s record to start the 2015 campaign – much to the dismay of Blake. “Some of the girls were OK with the fact that we had won that one match. That was what they were used to in the past. I told them that wasn’t good enough. I created a team T-shirt that said ‘Never Be Satisfied – Always Want More.’ It was something the girls took to heart.”
3: The number of related coaches on West Johnston’s staff. Blake is assisted by her husband, Taylor, and younger sister, Taylor Edwards.
6: Clayton sent down six kills during a competitive first set, but couldn’t come up with a victory. The Comets weren’t the same team the rest of the way.
.500: Blake hoped for a .500 record while rebuilding this fall, but her Wildcats are on the cusp of a league crown. “Realistically, that’s what I was looking for,” Blake said. “I thought maybe we could do that and maybe be in the top three in the conference. The girls have really exceeded my expectations.”
Unsung hero
Brooke Applequist, West Johnston: As a libero, Applequist’s name won’t show up much on the stat sheet. But she is a reliable backrow standout for the Wildcats with a knack for digging up opposing kill attempts. And as a senior, she provides leadership for a club loaded with underclassmen.
“We haven’t been very good in the past, but we have really come together this year,’’ Applequist said. “Coach Blake has had a huge impact on our team. She let us know right away that she wasn’t going to be happy with losing. As the season went on, we have started to believe in ourselves.”
Looking ahead
West Johnston’s path to the GNRC crown won’t be an easy one as the Wildcats will have road contests next week at Garner (Tuesday) and Knightdale (Thursday). Knightdale is just one victory behind the Wildcats in the conference standings.
This story was originally published October 8, 2015 at 11:59 PM with the headline "West Johnston leads Greater Neuse in volleyball after win at Clayton."