Millbrook volleyball
Millbrook libero Georgia Ditmore prepares to bump a volley during Tuesday's 3-0 loss at WF-R. It was the Lady Wildcats' Cap-7 Conference opener. They are scheduled to play Enloe Sept. 3.
Millbrook volleyball falls to Cougars
Having dropped the first set 25-15 to Wake Forest-Rolesville Tuesday night, the Millbrook volleyball team quickly fell behind 7-1 in the second set and a rout looked inevitable.
Battling one of the Cap-7 Conference's toughest teams — on the road, no less — and already trailing, the Lady Wildcats could have folded. Others might have.
But Millbrook didn't, storming back not once but twice in the second set.
Sophomore Abby Ward helped serve the Lady Wildcats back into the match, putting together a string of points early.
"We dug ourselves a hole in the beginning, and Abby was able to get us back in it," Millbrook head coach Chris Grimes said.
After some intense play — Millbrook actually led 26-25 at one point — the Lady Cougars eventually pulled out a 28-26 victory, and sealed the match with a 25-17 win in the third set.
Although they lost, the Lady Wildcats didn't lay down when faced with a challenge.
His squad's effort in the face of adversity impressed Grimes.
"I'm absolutely proud of them for coming back, but hats off to [WF-R coach] Jenna Hinton for calling a quality timeout, and they ran a quick set to their middle, scored a point and eventually got the win."
While a straight-set defeat doesn't always have a silver lining, Millbrook pushed the more experienced WF-R squad. And the Lady Wildcats also received an outstanding performance from sophomore Awele Nwaeze.
Blessed with jaw-dropping athleticism, the 6-foot-1 Lady Wildcat fluidly moves on the court, and is a fierce presence at the net. According to Grimes, the 15-year-old can jump and touch a basketball rim.
A relative newcomer to the sport, Nwaeze has only played competitive volleyball for a year and a half, but has the raw skills to build on.
"She is absorbing everything, trying to take it all in," the coach said.
Grimes said he's working to get Nwaeze closer to the net, where she feels most comfortable. But as for her blocking skills, she's already "sensational," he explained.
In addition to Nwaeze's play, junior Georgia Ditmore, the squad's libero, put together a solid defensive game.
The loss in Tuesday's league opener drops Millbrook's record to 5-2 this season.
The Lady Wildcats' upcoming schedule doesn't get any easier as they host Enloe Thursday, Sept. 3, and Broughton, Tuesday, Sept. 8. Both teams are expected to make the postseason, and contend for a league title.
WF-R improves to 6-1, and visits Leesville Road Thursday, Sept. 3.
"I'm pleased with how we played, but we're where were supposed to be," Grimes said, acknowledging the Lady Cougars are a better team at the moment. "We've got to continue to improve, and the good thing about volleyball is you get to play everybody twice. We will have them at our house in a few weeks, so hopefully we can do better then."
Sophomore Awele Nwaeze's blocking skills are "sensational," said MHS coach Chris Grimes.
