Gryphons blow past first-round foe in state playoffs

Nothing seemed to bother the Rocky Mount High volleyball team Thursday night during its first-round playoffs match.

The Gryphons danced to prematch music, exchanged high-fives frequently and overcame the absence of a starter in a 25-12, 25-23, 25-21 victory over Jacksonville White Oak on the opening night of the NCHSAA 3-A state playoffs.

Rocky Mount (18-4) will travel for a second-round match Tuesday against an opponent to be determined.

The Gryphons didn’t show any signs they were upset about their loss to Wilson Hunt on Tuesday in the Big East Conference tournament championship. Instead, they looked more like the team that finished undefeated in league play during the regular season.

“Everybody felt bad about it, then we got over it,” Gryphons senior Danita Whitaker said. “We had practice and felt like this is our time to shine. You could see today our intensity level was up. Everyone wanted it.”

Whitaker led the effort at the net. She finished with a team-high 11 kills on a night when the Gryphons played without middle hitter Tia Hudgins, who missed the match due to illness.

Jacksonville White Oak’s height was evident. Three tall Vikings towered near the net all evening, but the Gryphons were quick and alert. They moved their feet well, and the spikes the Gryphons missed often sailed long and out of bounds.

Rocky Mount cruised in the first game and battled to win the final two. The second game was as close as 23-23, and the Gryphons led the third game by eight points before clinching the match.

Rocky Mount’s players huddled after the final point, and their chants filled the gymnasium for at least 30 seconds.

It’s a group that is enjoying itself despite the ever-increasing importance of each match.

“The seniors don’t want to leave,” Gryphons coach Tabitha Wilcox said. “They’re in the boat of never giving up and never saying die.”

Jessie H. Nunery can be reached at 407-9951 or jhnunery@coxnc.com

Rocky Mount High 3

Jacksonville White Oak 0

25-12, 25-23, 25-21

RMH: Danita Whitaker (3 digs, 11 kills); Lauren Campbell (6 digs, 4 assists); Heather Hunter (7 assists, 1 dig); Kendria Worley (10 digs); Timishia Walker (5 kills, 1 dig); Kushunn Seabreeze (3 kills). JWO: Siera Young (9 kills); Morgan Cunningham (3 kills, 4 aces); Katie McLain (6 kills); Antoinette Hardison (4 kills).