North Lenoir sweeps Eastern Wayne to stay in conference chase

North Lenoir kept pace in a tight conference race with a 3-0 volleyball win over Eastern Wayne, sweeping the match 25-11, 25-12, 25-16.

The Hawks, now 13-3, earned their third straight win after coming off a 3-0 home victory against conference opponent Southwest Edgecombe. Eastern Wayne fell to 2-9 with its fifth straight loss after previously being swept by North Johnston.

North Lenoir controlled the match from the start, taking the opening set 25-11 and following with a 25-12 win in the second. Eastern Wayne pushed closer in the third set, but North Lenoir closed out the sweep 25-16.

Kennedi Starkie led North Lenoir with 10 kills and eight service points. Kenzie Carson added seven kills and nine service points, while Maddie Howard finished with 18 assists and eight service points.

Ale Rodriguez had eight service points, and Abigail Slaughter added 11 service points for North Lenoir.

The win continued North Lenoir’s recent success in the series. Since 2008, North Lenoir is 20-4 against Eastern Wayne and has won four straight meetings. Eastern Wayne’s last win in the matchup came in 2016.

North Lenoir remains in the mix in the conference standings, with Washington at 6-1 and North Johnston, West Craven and North Lenoir each at 6-2.

North Lenoir travels to South Lenoir to face its rival tonight.