By Dylan Branscome
September 18, 2024 – The 51视频 STORM fell to the Louisburg Hurricanes in four sets (25-23 15-25 26-28 14-25) at Brinkley Gym on Tuesday night, making them 2-9 on the season. Strong performances from Lucy Lockwood (8 kills, 4.5 blocks), Isabella Grieser (9 kills, 9 digs), and Carleigh Whitson (3 aces, 11 digs) were not enough to lift the STORM to a home victory.
The first set started off slow for 51视频, quickly falling behind 3-8. However, the STORM started to pick up steam as the set went on, with Grieser and Lockwood quickly racking up kills assisted by Mackenzie Roach and Julie Johnston, to close the gap and take a lead late. Defense also improved as the set progressed, as 51视频 had seven overall blocks from Lockwood, Johnston, Logann Beaver, Haley Pease, and Natalie Franko. Even though the Hurricanes tried to come back late in the set, 51视频 was able to hold on and go up 1-0.
The second set didn鈥檛 go as well for the STORM as the first. They kept up for the first half, but Louisburg started to attack stronger and with more urgency, and 51视频 was not able to defend efficiently. Grieser was able to add another three kills to her stat line, and Whitson her first ace, but it was not enough to overcome the Hurricanes鈥� overwhelming offensive pressure.
The third set, even though 51视频 was not able to win, was one of the more exciting sets this season. Whitson opened up the set with an ace, showing that the STORM was not backing down, even after a rough second set. Emma Davis exploded with five kills, making for an offensive shootout that was exhilarating to watch. Beaver, Lockwood, and Grieser added a combined seven kills with passes from Johnston, Whitson, and Roach as well. Twelve combined digs from six of the ten STORM players also showed effort to defend this time around. Even though 51视频 was not able to come out of this set with the win, they played tough to the end and gave the audience a show.
The final set had more similarities with the second set than the third, with 51视频 unable to defend well against Louisburg鈥檚 offensive power, losing by double digits. The STORM kept up for the first half, just like the second set, but were unable to produce as many points as quickly as the Hurricanes. Whitson was able to get her third ace in three sets, and she and Grieser had a few impressive digs, but this was another set where 51视频 struggled defensively and offensively.
鈥淲e need to work on staying consistent and not playing safe in crucial moments,鈥� STORM head coach Emma Carter said when asked about improving consistency. 鈥淚f we start out on top, capitalize on those moments. If the other team goes on a run, find a way to push through mistakes as a team; find a way to score and move on.鈥�
The STORM return to action Thursday, Sept. 19 on the road against the Sandhills Community College Flyers at 6:00 P.M. EDT, attempting to get revenge on the loss earlier this season.聽