AREA ROUNDUP: Lady Demons coast over Cleveland in 1st match

The top of the Fike High girls tennis lineup had a new look for the first time in three years as the Golden Demons swung into their 2024 season Tuesday, Aug. 13, with a 9-0 sweep of visiting Cleveland.

With the top two singles players and the No. 1 doubles team for the past four seasons — twin sisters Caroline and Kathryn Adkins — now in college, the Demons added two freshmen to the starting six. The top four returners — Holland Ellis, Kaden Biamby, Zoe Mitchell and Emory Skinner — were joined by Kensley Hill at No. 5 and Sarah Garrett Lamm at No. 6 in winning their singles matches in straight sets.

Ellis-Biamby took over the top doubles slot for Fike, the three-time 3-A Quad County Conference champion while Mitchell-Skinner and Hill-Lamm combined for the other doubles wins.

“The returners played very well in handling their new positions in the lineup,” said Fike head coach Lee Matthews. “I think Kensley and Sarah Garrett felt some nerves playing in their first high school match, but both settled down nicely in the second set.

“It was nice to get a sweep of doubles with some sharp play there.”

The 4-A Greater Neuse River Conference Rams were also playing their season opener. Fike is scheduled to host Currituck County on Wednesday at 4 p.m.

FIKE 9, CLEVELAND

Holland Ellis (F) d. Sunni Johnson 6-4, 6-2; Kaden Biamby (F) d. Lacey Morris 6-4, 6-2; Zoe Mitchell (F) d. Keira Burgraff 6-0, 6-0; Emory Skinner (F) d. Cailyn Monroe 6-1, 6-0; Kensley Hill (F) d. Jayla Kearney 6-4, 6-2; Sarah Garrett Lamm (F) d. Ayla Ferrell 7-5, 6-0

Ellis-Biamby (F) d. Johnson-Burgraff 8-3; Mitchell-Skinner (F) d. Morris-Kearney 8-1;p Hill-Lamm (F) d. Monroe-Ferrell 8-1.

VOLLEYBALL

Ladybirds win opener vs. Pirates

STANHOPE — Southern Nash tipped off its varsity volleyball season Monday, Aug. 12, with a defeat of visiting Corinth Holders in four sets — 25-22, 25-11, 18-25, 25-17.

Carlee Beckham totaled nine kills to lead the 3-A Ladybirds of the 2-A/3-A Big East Conference while Ava Pate and Savanna Baines each collected eight kills.

Abigail Marks landed four service aces and provided 15 assists while Macy Strickland came up with 15 digs to go with four kills and three aces. Olivia Ordess added two blocks and a kill to finish the match.

It was also the first match for the 4-A Greater Neuse River Conference Pirates.

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