Knights KO Pirates
Published 9:43 pm Thursday, October 25, 2012
![RS VB Brandon vs Matt web](http://www.wdnweb.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2012/10/RS-VB-Brandon-vs-Matt-web.jpg)
Riverside’s Madison Brandon (center, back) spikes the ball during a game earlier this year. On Thursday, the Knights knocked off Perquimans in three sets in the District Round of the playoffs. (WDN Photo/Brian Haines)
WILLIAMSTON — Riverside continued to rocket its way through the playoffs as it topped Four River Conference rival Perquimans in three sets on Thursday to win a district title for the third consecutive season.
The Knights (24-1), the No. 1 seed from the Four Rivers Conference, once again used accurate serving and ferocious net play to spike their opponent as they swept the second-seeded Pirates 25-19, 25-21, 25-20.
“Our team came out and really played well,” Riverside coach Herbie Rogers said. “I thought the key was our serving and our ability to keep them out of offense and our girls did a great job of that. In three games we only had one (serve) hit the net and another go out, everything else was right where it needed to be.”
The Knights have swept every team its faced so far this postseason and on Thursday they won their 18th straight game as Jesse Anne Rogers compiled 11 service points and 13 kills, while Madison Brandon tallied 11 kills and nine service points and Rachel Baker added 10 kills.
Rogers a senior, continued to have a strong postseason run as she led the Knights in service points and kills.
“She had a great game serving and it was probably one of her best overall games all year,” Rogers said. “With her serving first for us it gives us a chance to get out on a little bit of a lead and that’s always big.”
Alex Hardison blocked a team-high six attempts, while Kasey Hall recorded eight service points for the Knights.
Riverside combatted a Pirates (17-6) team with some quality net players by using a diversified attack.
“They have some really good hitters, but the key for us was that we were able to spread it around,” Rogers said. “In every rotation we had a couple of hitters up there, it was spread out really good.”
Riverside will be back in action on Saturday when it plays Raleigh Charter (20-5), the No. 1 seed from the Carolina 12 Conference.