Greene Central’s playoff bid ends in five-set heartbreaker against Heide Trask

SNOW HILL - Greene Central had Heide Trask on the brink of elimination Saturday, but the Rams couldn’t finish the job in the opening round of the NCHSAA 3A volleyball playoffs.

The 15th-seeded Rams took a 2-1 lead before No. 18 Heide Trask rallied for a 3-2 victory, ending Greene Central’s season at 12-12.

Greene Central won the opening set 26-24, dropped the second 23-25 and moved one set away from advancing with a 25-21 victory in the third. The Titans forced a decisive set with a 25-18 fourth-set win, then pulled away 15-6 in the fifth.

Greene Central coach Emily Lahr praised the Rams’ effort and ability to respond to difficult stretches, even as the finish fell short.

“I think the girls played well,” Lahr said in a postgame interview with Neuse News Sports. “We were able to execute when we needed to. They were able to dig their way out of several points behind, but we just couldn’t close in the end.”

The loss closed out a season in which Greene Central went 7-3 in conference play. The Rams’ leading contributors over the course of the season included Lilley Rogerson in the attack and on defense, E’Mahni Williams at the net, Marli Jones at the service line and setter Addison Rogerson. Individual statistics from Saturday’s match were not available for this recap.

Looking back on the year, Lahr said the team’s development extended beyond the final record.

“I think we had a lot of defining moments for us,” she said. “The girls were very dynamic this year. They grew a lot, not just as athletes, but as people. And I think that helped as far as their performance goes.”

She added: “I would have loved to have seen them go further, but I think they learned a lot this year.”

With only three players expected to graduate, Greene Central will return much of its roster in 2027. Lahr believes the experience gained during a season of close matches will help the Rams continue developing.

“We really are only losing three,” Lahr said. “The vast majority of the girls that are going to be here are the ones that stayed on the team this year, and so we’ll be ready to execute next year.”

Heide Trask advances to face second-seeded Wake Preparatory Academy on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Greene Central’s playoff run is over, but Lahr expects much of this group to be back on the court together next season.