Charles City sweeps Carver Academy to snap losing skid

Charles City's Sha'Ryan Paige finds a near-perfect position to execute a bump of the ball.

Robb Johnson photo

Charles City’s Lady Panthers continue to push through the season, with their fight paying off in an Oct. 5 match-up against the visiting Carver Academy Lady Wolverines.

Charles City had no trouble disposing their Tidewater District foe 25-7, 25-14, 25-18, sweeping the match and earning their second win of the season.

The home team took control early in the game, with Zaniyah Chavis leading the charge with serves that led to 10 straight points to jump out to a 16-2 lead. Six aces from the combined duo and Cheyenne Christian and Derequa Johnson helped the home team capture the first frame.
With Carver down to five players due to an injury, Charles City began rotating players into the game in the second frame, jumping out to a 21-9 advantage before closing it out with a win.

In the third stanza, Charles City’s occupied the floor with all newcomers, as Kaylee Stewart’s two aces helped the hosts to an 8-3 lead. Carver was resilient, battling back with six points of their own to take a 9-8 lead over the Lady Panthers. But eventually, the hosts stretched the lead gradually, with a service error committed by the visitors becoming the final point to allow Charles City to capture the match.

After the contest, Charles City Lady Panthers Head Coach Lillani Adkins spoke about her team’s character beginning to emerge.

“After our game against King & Queen, we came together and showed that bond tonight,” she said, emphasizing a dramatic 31-29 set win against the Lady Tigers the night before. “Our team showed a lot a character tonight.

“I also reminded them to be humble because Carver gave their all tonight,” Adkins added. “I told my girls in the locker room that we have been in that situation before and to remember that our character isn’t just on the court, but off the court as well. I was glad when they congratulated Carver and checked on their injured player. Sometimes the best lessons are those that are taught off the field of competition.”

Charles City’s record improves to 2-14.