A highly energized Pinecrest volleyball team made it two in a row to begin the 2011 season with a 25-15, 25-21 and 25-8 sweep of Jack Britt at James Moore Gym Wednesday evening.

Coach Barbara Foxx’s squad also needed just three sets to win its opener at home against Lee County on Tuesday. The busy first week was to continue with a home match against Western Harnett on Thursday.

Even though Wednesday’s match was one-sided, there were many long rallies that showed the Patriots are willing to work hard to keep the ball off the floor.

“We’ve been really motivated,” junior outside hitter Felicia Painter said afterward. “We knew Jack Britt was going to be tough and we knew one of our weaknesses was going for balls on the floor. We worked on it and I think we did pretty well tonight.”

The Buccaneers were still showing plenty of spunk when the longest rally of the match ended with a cross-court kill by Callie Boone for a 19-13 Patriot lead in the first set. The senior had two more kills before setting up Ashleigh Welton for the point that ended it.

Five service errors by the Pats helped keep the second game, that included five of Amber Goodwin’s match-high 14 kills, close. The third game was tied 3-3 before five service points in a row by Megan Thomas and six straight by Welton sealed the deal.

Thomas and Welton ended up with nine and eight digs, respectively, to lead the team in that department. Boone was credited with 12 assists and Thomas had nine. Painter finished with 10 kills and three blocks. Welton served for 13 points and Thomas 11. The Patriots are scheduled to meet the Buccaneers (0-2), last season’s Mid-South Conference champions, again in Fayetteville on Monday.

In Tuesday’s 25-19, 25-14 and 25-20 victory over Lee County, Welton and Rae Nunez led in digs with seven apiece. Thomas finished with 12 assists, five digs and four service aces. Painter led in kills with nine and Goodwin had seven.

Regrouping from season-ending injuries to Janea Williams (shoulder surgery) and Molly Maples (knee), Foxx is pleased to see many players getting involved in the attack, including Goodwin, a first-year varsity player.

“She’s got a good arm swing and that’s what’s working for her,” the coach said. “Everybody on the team can attack and that’s what is making it fun for us.”