Lady Knights Volleyball Sweeps Union in Varsity and JV Play

DELWAY, NC — West Bladen Volleyball made the trip to Union High School on Monday night and returned home with a pair of wins, as both the varsity and JV squads swept their matches in straight sets.

Varsity coach Jessica Rhodes said she could feel her team’s spark from the opening serve.

“The energy was there from the first serve to the final point,” Rhodes said. “We stayed positive, communicated well, and fed off each other’s energy. If we fine-tune a few areas, we can be even stronger.”

The varsity Lady Knights controlled all three sets — taking them 25-16, 25-15, and 25-8 — and used a balanced attack to put Union away. Senior Makenna Thurman finished with 2 kills and 8 hits, while senior Helaina Conklin posted 4 kills and 3 hits. Senior Tahlela Bethea came up big at the net with a key block, and junior Karlee Gause added steady play up front.

Junior Kim Dowless and senior Jaylen Clark each recorded 1 kill and 1 hit, with Clark also getting a block. Junior Greer Pope had a standout night with 1 kill, 7 hits, 2 aces, and a match-high 15 assists. Seniors Brenna Hester and Emmy Bryant held down the back row, with Bryant adding a back-row kill, 2 back-row hits, and 1 ace.

From the service line, senior Kali Allen delivered 7 aces to go with 3 kills and multiple hits. Senior Natalee Sykes contributed 13 assists, 3 aces, and 1 kill, while junior Shanna Lewis chipped in 4 hits, including one kill.

On the JV side, the Knights also came away with a sweep, winning 25-15 and 25-15. The victory came despite early adversity in the first set, when freshman Kynslie Kinlaw — who had already tallied 6 kills — and sophomore Vera Valentiner both left the match with injuries.

JV coach Lora Bryant said she was proud of the way her team responded.

“Despite a couple of injuries in the first set, the girls dug deep and played with so much heart. Every player contributed in some way, and that’s what made the difference,” Bryant said.

Sophomore Addie Wilcox stepped in to run the offense, delivering crisp assists and a serve that kept Union off balance. Freshman Berkleigh landed tough-to-handle serves and drove hard hits into the corners.

Sophomores Bristol Allen and Amiya Maxfield-McCarty, along with freshmen Hailii Andrews and Abigail Dew, were steady at the net and in defensive coverage.

Bryant also credited the JV bench for their role in the win.

“Our bench has so much to offer — whether they’re stepping in to play, cheering from the sideline, or helping read the other team, they’re a huge part of our success,” she said.

With both teams clicking early in the season, West Bladen will look to carry the momentum into their next match.

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Lady Knights Volleyball Sweeps Union in Varsity and JV Play