Charles City completes season sweep of Hopewell Lady Blue Devils

Charles City's Cheyenne Christian tips the ball over the net for a score.

Robb Johnson photo

This is something that the Charles City Lady Panthers’ volleyball team would like to hear more often; a winning streak.

Charles City defeated the visiting Hopewell Lady Blue Devils 16-25, 25-17, 25-16, 25-20 to win their second consecutive game and sweep the season series.

After each team took a set to begin the match, Charles City jumped out on top in the third frame 4-0 thanks to two aces by Derequa Johnson. Hopewell battled back to tie the game at five all, before Charles City made a move. Aalaya King’s tap over the net led to another point for the Lady Panthers, along with another underhand bump by her to add to the lead. Hopewell rallied back to cut the home team’s lead down to one (16-15) before the Lady Panthers went on a 9-1 run, with King scoring four of the team’s final five points coming off aces.

In the fourth set, Charles City built a 13-9 lead as they fought off Hopewell’s attempts. Kennedi Adkins’ tap over the net kept the lead at four (15-11) for the Lady Panthers. Hopewell continued to fight, but miscues by the Lady Blue Devils were too much, resulting in Charles City taking the match.

After the contest, Charles City Lady Panthers’ Head Coach Lillani Adkins spoke about the victory.

“These girls have worked extremely hard since the beginning and it shows that we are able to balance,” she said.

“It’s getting better and better,” Adkins continued. “I also love to see the air underneath their feet and them willing to get off the floor and go get the ball.”

Charles City improves to 2-1 on the season.