The Pinecrest volleyball team swept Union Pines Tuesday at Bob Ward Gymnasium in a nonconference intra-county match.

With the 25-15, 25-19, 25-17 win against the Vikings and another sweep over 4A foe Lee County in Sanford Wednesday, the Patriots ran their undefeated record to 8-0.

Keegan Lynch, a Patriot sophomore, had a match high 24 assists on the night against Union Pines.

“This is a really big rivalry,” Lynch said after the game Tuesday. “So we just went out there and tried our hardest because we did not want to lose.”

Lynch spread her accurate setting among Pinecrest’s imposing frontline players. Janea Williams finished with 12 kills and four blocks, while Addysen George tallied eight kills and four blocks for the Lady Pats.

Felicia Painter had six kills along with three blocks in the tilt and Mollie Maples added five kills.

“All of our hitters were really putting it down tonight,” said Lynch. “We practice a lot together and spend lots of time hanging out, outside of school, so our on-court chemistry is really solid right now.”

Pinecrest head coach Barbara Foxx was not on the sideline Tuesday due to sickness. However, assistant coach Toni Douglas-Boney filled in for Foxx as acting head coach in the contest.

“Our girls were excited to be here,” said Douglas-Boney. “They have been playing really well and showed great energy tonight. It was easy to see right away that they came out ready to compete.”

Williams set the tone for the match early with her play at the net. She had two blocks and four kills in the first half of the opening game. Williams’ final kill of the initial game came on an assist from Lynch that she sent furiously to the floor.

The loss was Union Pines’ second straight, as the lady Vikes’ record fell to 5-2. After opening the season on a great streak, head coach Leslie Fish said she was bit concerned about her team’s collective spirit.

“I just want to make sure that they stay focused,” said Fish. “No matter what the circumstances are, we always preach to the girls that they cannot lose focus but instead must continue to maintain their intensity and competitive nature.

“Pinecrest has some good blockers and some strong big hitters, but we can handle it. At times out there we had several players come up with big blocks at the net and nice passing. That showed me they are capable of handling it, so we just have to continue to work and get better as we enter league play.”

Crystal Hicks had six digs, five kills and two blocks, while fellow Vike junior captain Morgan Bridgers finished with 11 assists and 4 digs. Sophomore Tyler Ross tallied six kills and two blocks. Freshman Tiffany Hicks had a team high five blocks while junior libero Lexi Byrd led Union Pines with nine digs.

The Patriots hosted Jack Britt in another nonconference tilt Thursday with head coach Barbara Foxx seeking career win No. 600. Union Pines opened its Cape Fear Valley Conference 3A campaign on the road Thursday at Overhills.

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Contact F.W. Manning II at frankwm2@gmail. com