CHS volleyball team doubles last year’s win output early on

The Carrollton boys volleyball team improved to 2-1 on the young season with a victory over the Howland Tigers in four sets 24-26, 25-16, 30-28, 25-19 last week.

In only their second season, the team already doubled their win total from last year.

The Warriors jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first set before Howland tied things up at 5-5. The Warriors had seven net violations in the first set which aided the Tigers in expanding the lead to 15-23. Carrollton scored seven straight points to pull within 22-23 and tie the match at 24 all before Howland won the set 24-26.

Carrollton carried the momentum from the first set into set two, jumping out to an early 6-3 lead, building it to 13-6 advantage. The Tigers wouldn’t be able to get any closer as the Warriors won the second set 25-16. The Warriors had zero net violations in the second set.

The third set was the hardest fought set of the match with eight ties, six match points and a volley that crossed the net a dozen times. 

The Warriors jumped out to a 4-1 lead but could not shake off the Tigers as they would close within 8-7. Carrollton took a 13-9 aided by blocks from Carter Higgins and Turner Eddy and two kill shots by Ty Pridemore. The Tigers fought back to tie the set at 13.

The score would be tied three more times before the Warriors jumped out front at 21-17. The Tigers continued to claw their way back. Carrollton had its first match point at 24-22 before the Tigers tied the set at 24 all. The hosts never trailed, but it would take five match points for them to win set three 30-28.

The fourth set found the Warriors falling behind 1-5 before they got going, tying the match at 9 all. There were three more ties between the two teams before the Warriors took the lead for good. They outscored the Tigers 6-1 to finish set four 25-19 and earn the victory.

“The boys never gave up: (the) attitude tonight was electrifying. I could not be more proud of their turnaround from a loss the night before, to regroup and play the kind of volleyball they need to win!” said Coach Sue Incerpi said after the game.

 Eddy led the Warriors with 24 points including five aces. Ryan Kiko had 10 kills with Ty Pridemore adding eight. Kiko also had seven digs. Andrew Birong had 10 assists along with six assists.  Higgins contributed nine assists to go along with his seven blocks.

On March 19 the Warriors lost their first match of the season to Louisville in straight sets 20-25, 13-25, 21-25.

Birong led the Warriors with six points, four kills and three assists. Kiko and Kale Barkan each had four digs. Ty Pridemore, Birong and Logan Pridemore each had a block.

“A tough game tonight at the serving line kept us out of system for most of the night. The boys hung in there in the third game, but we dug ourself deep and played catch up most of the game. I love the competitive spirit with this team and their willingness to strive to do better,” Incerpi commented.

The Warriors will be on the road April 4 at Louisville.