Jeff Linville | The Mount Airy News

East Surry’s Olivia Sheets was a perfect 31-31 serving against South Stokes with five aces. The sophomore also had 36 assists and 13 digs.

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WALNUT COVE — East Surry got off to a slow start, but continued to get better each set in a 3-1 volleyball win Tuesday.

The Lady Cardinals fell in a hole in the first frame, but improved their performance in every set against the Lady Sauras.

South Stokes jumped out to a 20-10 lead at home in the first set.

“We came out flat,” admitted East Coach Caleb Gilley. “Our serves weren’t sharp. Our passing was very off. We weren’t ready to play. As the game went along, we got much better.”

The Cards nearly pulled out a big comeback. Eight straight points brought the team to 20-18 before the Sauras won narrowly 25-21.

Behind stellar play from setter Olivia Sheets, the Cards ran off three straight sets.

The Cards won by four in the second set at 25-21, then by eight and finally by 11.

“After that first set, I thought we played pretty well,” said Gilley.

Sheets had 36 assists while feeding the front line. Also, the sophomore had 13 digs, three kills and two blocks. At the service line, she was a perfect 31-31 with five aces.

Kacie Markle also was perfect with 24-24 serving.

In fact, the entire team only missed five serves all game — and four of those came in the first set, the coach noted.

Keri Fulp led the team with 30 kills and 11 blocks. She also had four service aces.

Destiny Edmonds added eight kills, six digs and two blocks. Ashley Smith had three kills and six assists.

Sydney Mosley had 16 digs on the back row, while Jesse Barr added nine.

The girls have to do a better job of starting out sharp because these slow first sets are happening too often, said Gilley.

Against Bishop McGuinness, the Cards dropped the first set, but came back to win in five. The Cards lost the first set to North Surry on the way to being swept 3-0. Against Surry Central the Cards barely won the first set 26-24, then lost the second before winning the match 3-1.

The Cards (15-4, 11-2) have a rematch with the Lady Eagles (11-5, 10-2) on Thursday in Dobson. Then East Surry will have its Senior Night next Tuesday against the Lady Greyhounds.

Reach Jeff Linville at jlinville@heartlandpublications.com or at 719-1920.