Charles City improves but remains winless, falls to WP

Charles City’s Tadayzia Jones (left) attempts an overhead volley as teammate Kourtney Wyatt (9) slides over for assistance.

Andre' Jones photo

Charles City’s Lady Panthers’ volleyball team continues to grow from earlier contest. But with only six players dressed, the hosts failed to muster a good start in an Oct. 3 contest.

Charles City fell in straight sets 5-25, 6-25, 8-25 to visiting West Point, keeping them winless (0-5) for the year.

From the sideline, Lady Panther head coach Racene Otey urged her team to communicate against the opposition. But with only echoes heard in the gym, the host dropped the opening frame 5-25. In set two, a dig by Charles City’s Adrianna Steele provided a 2-1 advantage for the hosts. But West Point scored the next 11 points, leading to claiming set number two.

Life breathed into the hosts in the third set as communication between players resulted in an attacking nature. With talking and more consistent play, Charles City pulled within striking distance (5-3) in the third set against the Lady Pointers. However, West Point used aggressive serving and aces in a massive 17-1 run to lead to the sweep.

After the contest, Otey reemphasized the need to talk on the court.

“Tonight it was communication,” she said. “Other than that, we improved in everything else.

“We have to be in the mindset at the beginning of the game,” Otey added. “We have to know what to do to be successful.”