Neither Southern Nash nor Rocky Mount High has showed much consistency on the volleyball court this year.

As the two teams walked off the court Thursday night, neither had showed much in a five-set match. Yet, the reaction from each team was significantly different.

Southern Nash coach Shannel Taybron walked the Firebirds on to the bus, disappointed in their trip.

Meanwhile, Rocky Mount coach  Tabitha Wilcox was able to laugh off her team’s occasional struggles.

That’s the luxury Wilcox can afford when her team winds up with a 3-2 victory – 25-17, 22-25, 25-21, 19-25, 15-7.

“We started in a lull, almost like we were singing ourselves to sleep,” Wilcox said. “We were just going through the motions. That’s some of what happened (Thursday). Finally, we got the intensity going.”

Rocky Mount High (5-5, 2-2 Big East) wasn’t void of lulls throughout the game. The only difference between the Gryphons and the Firebirds (3-7, 0-4), who have played deep into matches during the conference schedule, was that the Gryphons ended the game on a high note.

“We’re just not consistent,” Taybron said. “Once we start making mistakes, it just barrels and it keeps going. We can’t get it back. We can’t get the momentum back.”

The Gryphons and the Firebirds traded the first four sets. Rocky Mount won the first and third. Southern Nash won the second and fourth.

Even after winning the fourth set, the Firebirds couldn’t clinch their first conference victory. Rocky Mount’s seniors wouldn’t allow the Gryphons to lose.

Kasey Cooke served six straight points after the Firebirds took a 2-0 lead, and Evie Hunter served four straight, allowing the Gryphons to pull away.

“Really it comes down to the senior leadership that I have on the floor,” Wilcox said. “I really attribute it to a couple of the girls, Kasey Cooke and Evie Hunter. They’ve stepped up into a leadership role.”

Rocky Mount High 3
Southern Nash 2
25-17, 22-25, 25-21, 19-25, 15-7
Leaders: RMH – Sakeya Battle, Destini Parker 3 blocks, Kasey Cooke 12 assists, Sydney Browder 11 digs, Evie Hunter 6 aces, Parker 8 kills.

Justin Hite can be reached at 407-9951 or jhite@rmtelegram.com