Area briefs: South tops rival

From staff reports

South Rowan's volleyball team swept Carson on Thursday with an assist from the football squad.

A rabid section of 20 Raider students, most wearing red and white jerseys, were badly outnumbered. Still, their enthusiasm created a comfortable home atmosphere for South in Carson's gym.

South (4-1, 3-1 NPC) responded by sweeping the Cougars 25-19, 27-25, 25-12.

"We didn't play as well today as we did Tuesday (a close loss to West Iredell), but Tuesday my kids played as well as we've played since I've been here," South coach Jan Dowling said. "It's nice when you've got two girls like Taylor May and Kayla Morrow who can take over, and Molly Garrett played great today."

May had 12 kills. Morrow had nine. Setter Krista Haywood directed South's attack and found May whenever the Raiders needed a momentum-turning point.

Shanna Stewart had four kills to keep Carson close in the first game.

In the 27-25 struggle, Carson had a 24-22 lead and served for the game. An emphatic kill by Morrow (Haywood assisted) lifted South back into it.

A kill by Jennifer Hough put Carson ahead 25-24, but a diving dig by Garrett, who had nine service points in the game, saved the Raiders. South eventually was awarded the decisive point on a rare call for an illegal attack by Carson's libero.

The call took some steam out of Carson, and the Cougars faded in Game 3. Coach Trish Hester substituted frequently and South outscored the Cougars 15-2 in one dominating stretch.

Breckin Settlemeyer was strong at the net for the Cougars and accumulated seven kills and four blocks. Sarah Marshall led in digs, and the Cougars got a major boost from Hough (thumb) and setter Taylor Whitley (ankle), who are working their way back from injuries.

Carson (1-3) got its NPC win against East Rowan.

"East is a good team, but against East we played like we did in the second game today," Hester said.

* Earlier this week, East Rowan's varsity and jayvee teams beat Salisbury. Jenna Cassell and Haley Barrier combined to serve for 30 points for the Mustangs in the varsity action. Shanunda Carroll led in kills. Amanda Possidente led in digs.

- Salisbury golf rolls in opener

Salisbury's girls golf team shot 111 at Warrior to defeat Cannon (151) and East Rowan (164).

Sophomore Madison Kennedy shot 35 for Salisbury, with three birdies and three pars. Senior Allison Lee shot 36. Freshman Lily Yatawara shot 40 and birdied her first hole. Amber Lyerly shot 43 and Catherine Parks had a 45 in the opener.

Morgan Thrift shot 52 to lead the Mustangs. Mimi Burke shot 42 for Cannon.

- East soccer loses to Blue Devils

Coach John McNeil said East Rowan played a "hard and competitive game" but it lost to Mooresville 4-0 in NPC play on Thursday.

Danner McCulloh scored twice for the Blue Devils, and Colin Benjamin and Mitchell Valentine scored a goal apiece. Mooresville keeper Max Henry made three saves.

Dillon Arey made 12 saves in goal for East to keep the game tight until late in the second half.

- Prep tennis

Singles winners for East Rowan in a 9-0 victory over North Davidson were Emilee Smith, Hannah Kovach, Brittany Honeycutt, Emily Beck, Caitlyn Fry and Devan Corpening.

* Salisbury beat Central Davidson 9-0. Davie County beat West Rowan 9-0. Results are in Scoreboard.

- Jayvee football

Carson Herndon was 8-for-9 passing for 209 yards and three TDs to lead Davie to a 34-14 victory over West Rowan. Jarrett Wallace had two TD catches. Teddy Allen had three catches for 77 yards. Denzell Redmon had eight carries for 145 yards.n The East-Salisbury jayvee game was postponed until next week.