Mathews Lady Blue Devils coasts over Charles City in straight sets

Charles City’s McKinzey Meredith stares down the ball as she prepares to return the incoming serve.

Robb Johnson photo

Self-inflicted errors along with the ability to sustain offensive momentum factored into Charles City Lady Panthers’ Sept. 28 loss to the visiting Mathews Lady Blue Devils.

Charles City fell 7-25, 8-25, 16-25 to their Tidewater District opponent in the volleyball contest.

After the hosts dropped the first set, Mathews continued to exert dominance jumping out to a 10-2 run in the second frame. And every time Charles City tried to halt the run, an error and failure to return the ball over the net quickly ended it.

In the third stanza, four aces by Lady Blue Devil Autumn Jenkins pushed Mathews out to a 9-1 run. Charles City was able to recover momentarily, but faced a dozen point deficit (24-12) at the end. Lady Panther Bryana Lewis was able to lead a mild four-point run behind her serves, but a kill by Jenkins closed out the contest.

Charles City’s record falls to 1-12 on the season.