LA maintains narrow lead

Published 12:00 am Thursday, October 5, 2006

MERRY HILL – A late-season push from Ridgecroft School and Hobgood Academy has pushed Lawrence Academy.

The Warriors have a one-game lead in the Tarheel Independent Conference and no room for error.

Thus far, there hasn’t been one.

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Tuesday afternoon, Lawrence put together a three-game sweep of third place Hobgood Academy as they rolled to a 25-13, 25-20 and 25-15 victory.

“Kendall (Street) started us out of the gate with six kills in the first game,” Lawrence coach Dr. Ed Clouse said.

Street was everywhere on the afternoon, recording 20 hits that included 11 kills, added four aces, eight digs and a block.

Senior Ashley Swain has been stellar over the past three weeks and continued that streak by recording 12 hits including five kills, four aces and five digs.

Kathryn Taylor and Kate Hodges, who have been two of the strongest middle hitters in the conference, also were excellent. Taylor had 16 hits including seven kills, six blocks and five digs while Hodges had 15 hits including six kills, four blocks, five digs and an ace.

Senior Jenna Griffin had 10 hits including four kills with three digs and sophomore Debbie Stotesbury checked in with two aces, two digs and two kills on six hits.

“We served over 95 percent for the first two games,” Dr. Clouse said. “That serving percentage is key for us.”

He also credited Hobgood with blocking well and having good serves.

The win kept Lawrence atop the TIC with a 15-2 overall record that includes a near-spotless 9-1 mark in the conference.