Goldsboro’s consistent play on offense translated to a 25-15, 25-10, 25-12 win against Rosewood on Thursday evening.
The Cougars improved their record to 4-4 overall and are riding a two-game win steak into 2A Neuse Six Conference play, which starts next week.
“We’re excited to play in a new conference and seeing what it brings,” Goldsboro head coach Pamela Tart said.
Rosewood built up a 12-9 lead in the opening set, but the Eagles could hold onto the lead as the Cougars used a 12-3 run to take a 21-15 lead.
The Cougars then used four straight kills – two kills apiece from Hallie Brown and Brianna Moye – to take the first set 25-15.
“For us, passing has been a struggle this season. We lost a lot of that from last year, so passing is something that they’ve been harping on,” Tart said. “This game was tremendous, and we’re making strides with that.”
Holding onto a 9-7 advantage in the second set, back-to-back aces from Brown and a kill from Doris Ajagbe enabled the Cougars to snatch the momentum, and the Cougars embarked on a 16-3 run to win the second set.
The Cougars dominated the third set from start to finish as they jumped out to an 11-2 advantage and never looked back.
Two straight aces by Aaliyah Williams-Bryant helped put the Cougars in front 17-3, and the Cougars cruised to the finish with two more kills from Moye, ending the match.
“By the time we play the first two sets, we’re finding it in the third. It’s just working our way into conference, I want to find it in the first set and not the third set, but we’re well on are to getting there.” Tart said.
Moye finished with eight kills, Ajagbe spiked seven kills, and Brown ended up with six kills, while Elizabeth Howell dished out 16 assists. Dantzler Bonner had 10 digs.
Goldsboro travels to Wilson for its conference opener against Beddingfield (0-5) on Tuesday.
