A post-match comment by libero Keegan Lynch was timely, considering Pinecrest coach Barbara Foxx had just recorded career victory No. 630 in Wednesday’s volleyball match against visiting Middle Creek.

“We probably just out-coached them today,” Lynch said.

The Patriots fought off strong rallies by the Mustangs from Apex in the first two sets to gain a 27-25, 25-23 and 25-11 sweep in the non-league affair. They took a 15-4 overall and 4-1 conference record into tonight’s conference clash against Lumberton.

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Pinecrest Volleyball vs Middle Creek

The Patriots volleyball team swept Middle Creek 27-25, 25-23 and 25-11 to pick up a nonconference victory over Middle Creek Wednesday at Pinecrest's James Moore Gymnasium. Photos by Donna Ford.

Led by 6-foot-1 junior Ashley Battle, the Mustangs served hard and attacked hard, but nine service errors and a slew of attacks that went over the end line gave the much more disciplined Patriots a big advantage.

Four service errors in the first set helped waste a comeback effort that brought the Mustangs all the way back from a 20-12 deficit to take a 25-24 lead. After the Pats knotted things up, a service ace by Carina Houseman, on a ball that clipped the net, followed by a Mustang attack error, wrapped up the set.

The visitors closed a 21-12 deficit in the second game to 23-21, but Callie Boone set up Amber Goodwin for a kill and then a carry by one of the Mustangs made it 2-0. Rae Nunez was on the serving line for eight points in a row as the Patriots vaulted to a 9-1 lead in the one-sided third set. Miriam King served for the final two points, one of them coming on an ace.

Foxx, who is third on the state’s all-time win list, felt it was her team’s best performance in a while.

“We had a lot less turnovers,” she said. “Turnovers give the other team that many more opportunities to score.”

Nunez served for 15 points, including a pair of aces as the Patriots committed only four service errors. Lynch served for seven and was credited with six digs. Megan Thomas had 11 assists and seven digs. Felicia Painter contributed 10 kills and Amber Goodwin had five.

Senior Keyasa Martin missed her fifth match in a row with an ankle injury.